Investigation of low baby's breath (Gypsophila muralis) herb: anatomical structure and chemical composition

Introduction. Low baby's breath (Gypsophila muralis L.) is an annual herbaceous plant that is widely distributed in Eurasia. It is not picky about soils, grows on sands, roads, and wastelands. It often supplanted by other species. Its decorative forms run wild easily. It has never been used in official and folk medicine, but in recent years it has been applied for decorative purposes. Objective: to investigate the anatomical structure and chemical composition of low baby's breath herb. Material and methods. The investigation object was dried low baby's breath herb collected on fallow lands in the vicinity of the village of Retkino, Ryazan Region. Morphological and anatomical analyses were carried out in accordance with the requirements of the 14th Edition of the Russian Federation's State Pharmacopoeia. The chemical composition of the herb was examined for ecdysteroids and polyphenolic compounds by HPLC on a Gilson-305 chromatograph with a UV detector. Results. The structure of the vegetative and generative organs of low baby's breath was investigated. There was evidence that its raw material contained ecdysteroids (ecdysterone, polypodine B) and polyphenolic compounds (caffeic, gallic, chicory, ferulic, neochlorogenic acids, vicenin, catechin, coumarin, epigallocatechin gallate, lutein-7-glucosamine, hesperidin, and rutin. Conclusion. Low baby's breath can and must be used as a highly effective source of ecdysteroids and polyphenolic compounds.

low baby's breath, Gypsophila murals L, ecdysteroids, polyphenols, HPLC