Species of the genus Philadelphus L. (mock orange, Hydrangeaceae) are popular ornamental shrubs cultivated in Eastern Asia, Northern America, South-eastern Europe and the Caucasus. Mock orange was used to make soap, bows, arrows and cradles in the past. Aqueous extracts of Philadelphus coronarius L. flowers are used in traditional medicine and in homeopathy. Some members of the genus Philadelphus L. are known for their cytotoxic, antibacterial and immunomodulatory effects.
This study deals with quantitative determination of coumarins in different extracts (methanol, butanol, water) of leaves of Philadelphus coronarius L., Philadelphus magdalenae Rehd., Philadelphus pekinensis Rupr., Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., Philadelphus subcanus Koehne, Philadelphus tenuifolius Rupr. et Maxim. and Philadelphus zeyheri Schrad. The content of coumarins was determined as umbelliferone using spectrophotometry.
The highest content of coumarins was recorded in methanol extract of species Philadelphus schrenkii Rupr., and butanol and water extract of Philadelphus subcanus Koehne. The results indicate higher content of coumarins in butanol and water extract compared to methanol extract.
The results obtained provide the basis for isolation and identification of biologically active substances from these extracts.
