Objective: In this study we investigated the flavonoids in the leaves and flowers of Inula helenium L..
Material and method: Flowers and leaves were harvested from the Medicinal Plant Garden of the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Tîrgu Mureș. Dried vegetable product was extracted with methanol and in order to investigate aglycones we prepared hydrolised extracts. We screened the vegetable product for flavonoids using a TLC method, then we determined the total flavonoid content by a spectrophotometric method. HPLC-MS and HPLC-UV methods were used to determine polyphenols in methanolic and hydrolised extracts.
Results: Flavonoid content varies from 1.83% in leaves to 1.43% in flowers, equivalent in hyperoside. We identified the flavonols quercetin and kaempferol and the glycosides isoquercitrin, quercitrin and rutoside. Isoquercitrin is the major compound, in a concentration of 0.898 mg/g dry vegetable product.
Conclusions: Our study shows that the leaves and flowers of Inula helenium L. contain a high percentage of flavonoids with pharmacological activities.