Phenolics in the Tussilago farfara leaves
Abstract
Coltsfoot leaves (Farfarae folium) are used in the European medicine in respiratory tract
diseases, for cough, bronchitis and asthmatic disorders, while in the traditional Chinese
medicine only flower buds (Farfarae flos) have been recognized as a medicine. A short
literature review shows that most data concern the chemical composition of the coltsfoot
flowers. During the carried out studies we have isolated and identified (UV, 1H and 13C NMR,
analysis of acid and enzymatic hydrolyze products) six known flavonols from the coltsfoot
leaves: kaempferol and its 3-O-β-glucopyranoside and 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-
β-glucopyranoside, along with quercetin derivatives: 3-O-β-arabinopyranoside, 3-O-β-
glucopyranoside and 3-O-α-rhamnopyranosyl(1→6)-β-glucopyranoside. Moreover, we have
detected the presence of three phenolic acids.