Qualitative and Quantitative Determination of Tryptanthrin, Indirubin, Indican and Isatin Indole Alkaloids During Vegetative and Flowering Stages in the Roots and Leaves of Isatis constricta P. H. Davis

Abstract

Isatis genus more known as the indigo plant is a plant belonging to the Brassicaceae family in Turkey. Turkey has 31 types and 15 subtypes in various provinces.18 of these species and 3 of the subspecies are assumed as endemic. All taxa of the genus are extensively used in dyeing and treatment of various infections. They contain large number of secondary compounds like phenolics, flavonoids and alkaloids in root, leaf, flower and fruit parts. Among these indole alkaloids like triptanthrin, indirubin, indican and isatin are used in treatment of many diseases. These are obtained from the leaves and roots are pharmacologically active compounds. This study revealed that this biannual herbaceous plant grows 30 - 50 cm in length on volcanic slopes, at 1200 - 1300 meters above sea level. It generally grows in Eastern Anatolia and the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The study aimed to determine optimum ontogenetic stage of Isatis constricta to extract natural bio compounds like indirubin, isatin, indican, tryptanthrin. The leaf and root samples used in this study were collected from Maden county of Elazığ province. They were tested for the presence of these compounds during vegetative and flowering period of the plant. The HPLC (HighPerformance Liquid Chromatography) analysis results showed that tryptanthrin 0.482 (±0.0072) µg/g and indirubin 0.029 (±0.00007) μg/g has the highest concentrations in the leaf samples obtained during the vegetative period. However, isatin 4.358 (± 0.0985) μg/g and indican 21.330 (± 0.114) μg/g were found to have the highest concentration in leaf samples obtained during flowering period. When both results are compared, it can be seen that the amount of tryptanthrin, isatin, indirubin and indican alkaloids were found in the leaves of I. constricta higher than to the roots. This research idicate that the most appropriate development stage of I. constricta to obtain triptanthrin indirubin, indican and isatin compounds.