Chemotaxonomy of Wild Lamiaceae taxa Based on Their Flavonoids Profiles

The study presents flavonoids compounds patterns of thirty two Lamiaceae (Mint) taxa from Oshtorankoh located on Zagros Mountains, Iran for understanding flavonoids role in mint chemotaxonomy and their usages as food additive, edible, spices and medicine. This is a novel report of some Iranian Mint taxa flavonoids using two-dimensional paper chromatography and thin layer chromatography methods. Results showed all of the studied taxa contained flavone C-&C-/O-glucosides and flavonoid sulphates. Eight taxa had aglycones while the rest lacked. Quercetin was found in all of taxa except Lamium album ssp. crinitum and Nepeta persica. Stachys setifera had not myricetin while others had. Rhamnetin, tricin and morin were not detected in all taxa exceptional Salvia brachycalyx and Salvia staminea those had. Kaempferol was found in all taxa except Ajuga chamaecistus, Lamium amplexicaule var. amplexicaule, Nepeta persica and Stachys pilifera. All of taxa except six species had luteolin. These results showed aerial parts flavonoids compounds variation in studied taxa can be useful for studying relationships within relatively narrow taxonomic limits, e. g. at the species and genus levels and their importance in chemotaxonomic surveys of mint genera. Also flavonoids compounds presence in studied taxa increase their quality and antioxidant activity as edible, spices and medicinal plants.