Phytotherapeutic studies on geranium species

Although Geranium ve Pelargonium belong to different genera of the Geraniaceae plant family they are often confused because of their similarity. Species which belong to these two genera contain similar chemical constituents and their biological effects given in the literature studies are also very similarIn this study pharmacognostic research were carried on Geranium pyrenaicum, one of the Geranium species in our country. Plants were collected in May 2007, from Kargasekmez locality, 5 kilometers to Kızılcahamam county of AnkaraEthanolic extracts were prepared from the roots and aerial parts of Geranium pyrenaicum and the presence of tannins and coumarins were investigated. Antibacterial effects were tested in vitro using microdilution method and compared with the herbal drug that contains Pelargonium sidoides and Pelargonium reniforme root extract.In our study, a coumarin and hydrolizable tannins are found in the roots and the aerial parts of Geranium pyrenaicum. Geranium pyrenaicum is also found to have antibacterial effects in vitro and these effects are similar to herbal drug that contains P. sidoides and P. reniforme root extract.Keywords: Geranium pyrenaicum, antibacterial, antifungal