[Determination of the coumarinic constituents of Ficus carica leaves by HPLC].

The coumarinic compounds of fig leaves (Ficus carica) here examined closely. The furocoumarins psoralen, bergapten and the coumarins umbelliferone, 4',5'-dihydropsoralen and marmesin are present. These substances were determined in a "coumarinic extract" by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The seasonal variations of the above mentioned compounds were also studied in a series of samples of leaves picked from the same plant, at regular fortnightly intervals during the period 1/VI-2/XI/1979. From the data obtained it is noticeable that the total coumarinic content is maximun--0.5% as compared with the dry weight--in the extract of leaves picked on the first August, while it is lowest in the extract of leaves picked on the 15th June. The quantity of psoralen is always greater than that of bergapten, umbelliferone, 4',5'-dihydropsoralen and of marmesin. The ratio psoralen: bergapten is not constant, but fluctuates extensively with the seasonal variations from 2.8 to 7.7.