Chemotaxonomy study and flavonoid diversity of Teucrium polium, T. capitatum, T. gnaphalodes and T. orientale (Lamiaceae) from Zagros region, Iran

The genus Teucrium L. belonging to Lamiaceae family and Ajugoideae sub-family is represented by ۲۶۰ species throughout the world, and ۱۹ species in Iran. The taxonomic complexities of this genus are mostly due to morphological variability and natural hybridization. Consequently, this study aims to assess the taxonomic status of Teucrium species using flavonoid data, determine the flavonoid classes and their diversity. Four species, three subspecies and ۵۳ accessions of two sections Teucris and polium were collected from the west, center, southwest and south of Zagros region. Extraction and identification of leaf flavonoids were performed by ۹۰% MeOH, rotary evaporator, thin layer chromatography and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The chemotaxonomic status of Teucrium species and variations of flavonoid patterns at inter and intra-specific levels were investigated using the presence and absence of flavonoid spots, cluster analysis based on UPGMA method, Dice similarity coefficient, and Cluster Vis v.۱.۸.۲. According to the results of cluster analysis, considerable flavonoid variations were recognized in the accessions of T. orientale subsp. glabrescens (Hausskn. ex Bornm.) Rech. f. (six groups), T. polium L. (five groups) and T. orientale subsp. taylori (Boiss.) Rech. f. (five groups). The subspecies of T. orientale L. were clearly grouped but some similarities were observed between the subspecies of taylori and glabrescens. Despite considerable morphological similarities among T. polium, T. capitatum L., and T. gnaphalodes L′Her., three species were separated. The highest abundance of flavonoid class was attributed to flavones (۱۸), isoflavones (۱۷) and flavonols (۱۳). Moreover, the subspecies of T. orientale were discriminated using flavones and flavonols. In conclusion, flavonoids are introduced as appropriate markers in the taxonomy of the genus Teucrium.

کلیدواژه ها:

Flavone ، marker ، diversity ، chromatography