Standardization of the birch leaf
Carnat, A.; Lacouture, I.; Fraisse, D.; Lamaison, J.L.
Annales Pharmaceutiques Francaises 54(5): 231-235
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-4509 PMID: 8953799 Document Number: 466276
Dried leaves of Betula pendula Roth (14 batches) and B. pubescens Ehrh. (3 batches) present a similar flavonoid pattern. The mean levels of the principal flavonoid compounds were respectively: total flavonoids 3.29 and 2.77%, hyperoside 0.80 and 0.17%, avicularin (two forms) 0.57 and 0.26%, galactosyl-3 myricetol 0.37 and 0.18%, glucuronyl-3 quercetol 0.25 and 0.36%, quercitrin 0.14 and 0.12%. The flavonoid levels were higher in young leaves and lower in old leaves of B. pendula. 14 batches of commercial origin were also examined for a comparative study. Pharmacopoeial specifications are proposed for a revision of the monograph "Betulae folium".