[Rosmarinic acid, total hydroxycinnamic derivatives and antioxidant activity of Apiaceae, Borraginaceae and Lamiceae medicinals].

A number of medicinal species of the Apiaceae, Borraginaceae and Lamiaceae families present high rosmarinic acid and total hydroxycinnamic derivative contents. Species of genera Sanicula (Apiaceae), Lycopus, Melissa, Mentha, Origanum and Salvia (Lamiaceae) contain rosmarinic acid in large amount, more than 3%, based on dry weight. The antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extracts, on DPPH, is partly in relation with the hydroxycinnamic derivative content.