Preliminary phytochemical investigation of Lychnis flos-cuculi herbs

Five polyphenolic compounds were identified from the diethyl ether and ethyl acetate extracts of the herb of ragged robin, Lychnis flos-cuculi L. (Caryophyllaceae). The identified and isolated compounds were established as a caffeic acid, luteolin, apigenin, apigenin 8-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (vitexin) and luteolin 8-C-β-d-glucopyranoside (orientin) by means of extensive spectroscopic studies, including UV and NMR, and confirmed by their chromatographic behavior—TLC and HPLC analyses. This is the first report of occurrence of these compounds in L. flos-cuculi.