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Major secondary metabolites of Iris spp.

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Abstract

Roots and rhizomes of many Iris species are well known as precious sources of isoflavones. They have been used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory disorders and decrease smooth muscles activity. Recent advances in their phytochemistry and phytomedicine have revealed potent anticholinesterase, antineoplastic and anti-plasmodial activities of iris constituents. Furthermore, decoctions from rhizomes have been successfully used among patients with hormone-related diseases. Except for isoflavones, the main chemical components of Iris are xanthones, quinones, flavons, terpenes and simple phenolics, with multiple biological activities. This contribution reviews the research progress of the past 30 years relating to the chemistry, recovery of secondary metabolites, their separation by means of TLC and HPLC techniques and spectral data of the most common chemical components of iris extracts. Special attention is paid to ultraviolet spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, LC–mass spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance analyses of isoflavones, flavons, xanthones and terpenes.

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Acknowledgments

Mrs. Anna Misiuna, Mrs. Maria Grudzinska and Prof. Dr. Yoshinori Asakawa are thanked for constructive feed-back during the writing process.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacognosy with Medicinal Plant Unit, Medical University of Lublin, 1 Chodzki, 20-093, Lublin, Poland

    Wirginia Kukula-Koch, Elwira Sieniawska, Jarosław Widelski, Paweł Głowniak & Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak

  2. School of Pharmacy, Health Sciences University of Mongolia, 3, Zorig Street, Ulaanbaatar, 14210, Mongolia

    Otgonbataar Urjin

Authors
  1. Wirginia Kukula-Koch
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  2. Elwira Sieniawska
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  3. Jarosław Widelski
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  4. Otgonbataar Urjin
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  5. Paweł Głowniak
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  6. Krystyna Skalicka-Woźniak
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Correspondence to Wirginia Kukula-Koch.

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Kukula-Koch, W., Sieniawska, E., Widelski, J. et al. Major secondary metabolites of Iris spp.. Phytochem Rev 14, 51–80 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-013-9333-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-013-9333-1

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