Comparative studies of the rosmarinic and caffeic acid contents of Lamiaceae species

摘要

The rosmarinic and caffeic acid contents of 96 Lamiaceae taxa (20 genera, 76 species, 8 subspecies, 9 varieties, 3 hybrids) were investigated using a TLC-densitometric method. Rosmarinic acid was present in all species of the subfamily Nepetoideae, but was absent from those in the subfamily Lamioideae. However, with the exception of 3 Lamioideae species, caffeic acid was found in measurable quantities in all taxa studied. The rosmarinic acid content ranged from 0.01 to 9.30 mg/g, while that of caffeic acid varied from 0 to 0.62 mg/g.