Polyphenolics are plant aromatic compounds produced as secondary metabolites which contribute to defense mechanisms against ultra violet light, pathogens and reactive oxygen species. Polyphenols are of interest in human health because diets high in polyphenols are associated with reduced occurrences of stroke, type II diabetes, and cancer. Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) found in arid regions of the western United States produce polyphenolic compounds in high quantity and variety. In these plants, production fluctuates seasonally and in response to stress. These secondary metabolites are of value in clarifying the taxonomy of this subgenus. In this study, we sampled permanent leaves from triplicate individuals and populations of Artemisia arbuscula ssp. arbuscula, A. arbuscula ssp. longiloba, A. tridentata ssp. tridentata, A. tridentata ssp. vaseyana, A. cana ssp. bolanderi, and the novel A. cana, to assess the variation of flavonoids. Extracts containing polyphenols were analyzed using reverse phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Peak areas were compared using nested ANOVA statistical analysis. Understanding polyphenol variation at different levels will help us screen for future health applications and will test sagebrush taxonomy concepts.

Variation in Polyphenol Content in Permanent Leaves among Individuals, Populations and Species of Artemisia Section Tridentatae