HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS Identification and Characterization of Major Constituents of Iris crocea, Iris germanica and Iris spuria Growing in Kashmir Himalayas, India

Genus Iris is well known rhizomatous herb belonging to family Iridaceae and is represented by 260 species [1]. Iris species have immense medical importance in indigenous systems of medicine and are used in the treatment of liver dysfunction, inflammation, bacterial and viral infections [2,3]. Externally root in powder or poultice is used as an application to sores and pimples [2]. Rhizomes of Iris nepalensis are used in Indian Indigenous System of medicine under the name of ‘Sosan’ for variety of heart diseases [4]. They are used as laxative, antidote, antispasmodic, emetic and haemoststic agents [5,6]. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) rhizomes of Iris dichotoma Pall. (called in Chinese ‘Bai She Gan’ or ‘Bai Hua She Gan’) have been used to treat inflammations and respiratory system disorders [7], as well as to clear heat and detoxify the organism [8]. The compounds isolated from various species are reported to possess antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, piscicidal, anticancer, antiplasmodial, antituberculosis, molluscicidal and antihelmintic properties [9-15].