Phytotherapeutical studies on Sambucus L.

The flowers of Sambucus nigra are used for treating of colds by their diaforetic and reducing of secretion activities. In Turkey there are two Sambucus species; S.nigra and S.ebulus. Both of them are used in folk medicine. The second species, especially leaves are used widely for relieve rheumatic pain.In this study, botanical and chemical properties, biological activities and usage of Sambucus species were investigated. Moreover, Sambucus plant samples which grown in our country and drugs sold in markets were compared with the experiments. For this purposes, the desired analysis of European Pharmacopoeia were made.Samples sold in market were characterized as Sambucus nigra. In the assays; loss on drying was found as 8.66 ? 9.85 % and total ash as 5.65 ? 6.68 %. In the samples bought from markets, amounts of foreign matter was found so higher than 8 % that is the limit cited in European Pharmacopeia. In the analysis of brown flower, their amounts were found lower than the European Pharmacopoeia?s limit of 15 %.In TLC studies, samples were investigated with regards to flavonoids and phenolic acids. The composition of the flowers and leaves of the two species was found different and the TLC analysis was evaluated as leading method for the characterization of these two species.