Comparative analysis of biologically active substances in leaves and fruits of European dewberry (Rubus caesius L.)

Introduction. In recent years, the attention of researchers has increasingly been attracted by representatives of the genus Rubus, among which the European dewberry (Rubus caesius L.), as one of the most frequently encountered species. There are a number of studies on the chemical composition and pharmacological activity of raw materials of European dewberry. For example, its fruits, leaves, and shoots are rich in compounds of a phenolic nature, have antitumor, antioxidant, and antidiarrheal activity. Consideration of European dewberry as a producing plant of medicinal plant raw materials is relevant. Objective. The study of the composition and content of some groups of biologically active substances (BAS) in the leaves and fruits of European dewberry. Material and methods. The objects of the study were dried leaves and fruits of European dewberry harvested in the Moscow region and the Republic of Bashkortostan in the summer of 2023. The analysis of BAS was carried out according to the methods set out in the Russian State Pharmacopoeia. BAS was detected by qualitative reactions and thin-layer chromatography (TLC). The quantitative determination of BAS was carried out by titrimetry and spectrophotometry (SPM) methods. Results and discussion. During the work, hydrolyzable tannins (10.01 and 5.6%, respectively), organic acids (1.44 and 3.12%, respectively), ascorbic acid (0.068 and 0.11%, respectively) were found in the leaves and fruits of the European dewberry. The amount of anthocyanins in terms of cyanidin-3-5-diglycoside was determined in the fruits of the European dewberry, the value of which was 0.98%. The content of flavonoids in terms of rutin in the leaves of European dewberry was 0.72%. Conclusion. A comparative analysis of BAS in the leaves and fruits of the European dewberry was carried out. The studied objects are promising sources of substances of primary and secondary metabolism.