Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of the aerial parts of Odontites vulgaris Moench

In this work, the first specific phytochemical analysis on Odontites vulgaris Moench collected in Central Italy was performed. The aerial parts ethanolic extract was studied and eight compounds were identified: pheophytin a (1), aucubin (2), catalpol (3), shanzhiside methyl ester (4), melampyroside (5), 8-epi-loganin (6), caryoptoside (7) and quinic acid (8). To the best of our knowledge, in this study, compounds (7–8) resulted to be isolated from the genus for the first time. The chemophenetic markers of the family and order were evidenced and several important ecological conclusions could be drawn. The ethanolic extract was also tested for several biological activities showing high effects in the antioxidant, cytoprotective and aflatoxin B1 production inhibitory assays. A brief explanation on these activities under the phytochemical standpoint was also included.