1 research outputs found
Phytochemistry of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull) and its altitudinal alteration
11 páginas, 2 figuras, 3 tablas.-- The final publication is
available at www.springerlink.comCalluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (heather) is the
only species within the genus Calluna (Ericaceae). It
is a dominant species of heather communities and
can be found in most parts of Europe and Northern
America from lowland up to alpine regions. Common
heather is traditionally used to treat urinary tract
disturbances and inflammatory related disorders. This
review covers the current knowledge on phytochemical
investigations of C. vulgaris which revealed a
complex pattern of flavonoid glycosides including
acetylated compounds as well as other classes of
phenolics (chromones, procyanidins and simple phenols).
Recently, an acetophenone (rodiolinozide) was
identified. C. vulgaris occurs in habitats comprising
several altitudinal zones which makes it an attractive
species to study the variation of its metabolic profiles
in wild populations growing under different climatic Calluna vulgaris (L.) Hull (heather) is the
only species within the genus Calluna (Ericaceae). It
is a dominant species of heather communities and
can be found in most parts of Europe and Northern
America from lowland up to alpine regions. Common
heather is traditionally used to treat urinary tract
disturbances and inflammatory related disorders. This
review covers the current knowledge on phytochemical
investigations of C. vulgaris which revealed a
complex pattern of flavonoid glycosides including
acetylated compounds as well as other classes of
phenolics (chromones, procyanidins and simple phenols).
Recently, an acetophenone (rodiolinozide) was
identified. C. vulgaris occurs in habitats comprising
several altitudinal zones which makes it an attractive
species to study the variation of its metabolic profiles
in wild populations growing under different climatic conditions. Within phenolic compounds, flavonols
showed significant differences in samples collected at
different altitudes with increased levels of quercetin
glycosides at higher altitudes whereas no significant
correlation could be found for caffeoyl quinic acids
and the dihydroflavonol glycoside callunin. Expanding
such investigations to different species and
different geographical areas should give a more
accurate picture of suitable marker compounds within
the group of phenolics in order to detect adaptive
processes in high altitude plants. Furthermore, investigations
on the specific patterns of phenolics at
cellular and subcellular level and their variation due
to factors like enhanced solar radiation and low
temperature should be expandedWe are grateful for financial support by
the Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Graz, and the
Dr. Heinrich-Jo¨rg and the Gandolph-Doelter foundationsPeer reviewe