Note Free Flavonoid Aglycones from Inula montana

Inula montana L. (Asteraceae) is sometimes used in folk medicine in France in place of Arnica montana L. (and improperly called “Arnica”). A preliminary study on the flavonoid chemistry of Inula montana showed the occurrence of four major flavonoid aglycones: luteolin (5,7,3',4'-hydroxyflavone), hispidulin (5,7,4'-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavone), nepetin (5,7,3'-hydroxy-6-methoxyflavone) and cirsimaritin (5,4'-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone). This species contains less free flavonoid aglycones (only 5 compounds detected) than Arnica montana (nearly 20 free aglycones isolated and identified).