Phytochemical and elemental composition of the Linaria cretacea Fisch ex Spreng (Plantaginaceae)

Abstract

The article presents the results of a phytochemical study of a rare species of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Linaria cretacea Fisch. ex Spreng. Specific biologically active compounds contained in the inflorescences, roots, and leaves of plants have demonstrated their pharmacological properties and biological activity, confirming that various phytochemical groups and individual compounds have beneficial effects. Of the total number of organic compounds detected in ethanol extracts, falcarinol (with a relative content of 16.51%) and thymol (with a relative content of 0.57%) in L. cretacea were identified with a high degree of confidence (65–90%). These compounds are valuable biologically active substances used in medicine. Being unsaturated compounds, they can be classified as natural antioxidants. For example, falcarinol is found in the roots of American ginseng. Thymol, which is part of the structural elements of cell membranes, is also a phenolic antiseptic with pronounced antimicrobial and antifungal activity against various microorganisms. The results obtained are promising and can be further used to develop a technology for obtaining valuable biologically active substances from Linaria cretacea Fisch. ex Spreng. biomass.