Differentiation of essential oils in Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

Atractylodes rhizome is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb that comprises complex several species whose essential oils are the primary pharmacologically active component. Essential oils of Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana were extracted by hydrodistillation, and the yield was determined. The average yield of essential oil obtained from A. lancea (2.91%) was higher than that from A. koreana (2.42%). The volatile components of the essential oils were then identified by a gas chromatography with mass spectrometry method that demonstrated good precision. The method showed clear differences in the numbers and contents of volatile components between the two species. 41 and 45 volatile components were identified in A. lancea and A. koreana, respectively. Atractylon (48.68%) was the primary volatile component in A. lancea, while eudesma‐4(14)‐en‐11‐ol (11.81%) was major in A. koreana. However, the most significant difference between A. lancea and A. koreana was the major component of atractylon and atractydin. Principal component analysis was utilized to reveal the correlation between volatile components and species, and the analysis was used to successfully discriminate between A. lancea and A. koreana samples. These results suggest that different species of Atractylodes rhizome may yield essential oils that differ significantly in content and composition.     

Analysis of Volatile Organic Compounds from Dendranthema indicum var. aromaticum by Headspace Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and Accurate Mass Measurement

The volatile organic compounds from flowers, leaves, and stems of Dendranthema indicum var. aromaticum, obtained through a static headspace technique, were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and accurate mass measurement. The qualitative approach, comprising accurate mass measurement, retention index, and mass spectral search, was utilized to identify compounds. A total of 162 components were identified, representing 97.55–98.72% of the volatiles of individual samples. The principal chemical components in flowers were bornyl acetate (15.40%), α-phellandrene (14.18%), p-cymene (9.64%), camphor (9.54%), β-linalool (8.61%), and α-thujone (7.06%). In leaves, the main components were p-cymene (20.42%), bornyl acetate (20.41%), α-phellandrene (13.67%), and β-linalool (5.46%). As for stems, trans-β-farnesene (17.95%), germacrene D (12.89%), β-phellandrene (12.70%), β-caryophyllene (10.18%), and bicyclogermacrene (8.01%) were the dominant volatile compounds. Comparative studies on the volatiles from various species of genus Dendranthema indicated that Dendranthema indicum var. aromaticum contains significantly more aroma compounds than its morphologically similar species.     

Isolation and Identification of the Major Chemical Components Found in the Upper Parts of Teucrium Pofium Plants Grown in Khuzestan Province of Iran

Teucrium polium is a dwarf sub-shrub usually 30-60 cm high with many branches, which is fairly distributed throughout Iran, with its flowering being season mainly from April to July. The plant was collected during its flowering season in Baghmalek region in the North-East of Khuzestan province, Iran. After the identification of the genus, species and variety of the plant, the dried whole plant （flowers, fruits and the leaves） was steam distilled with different methods. The isolated essential oil was dried over anhydrous sodium sulphate and stored at 4-6 ℃. Analysis of the essential oil was carried out by GC-MS technique. At least 10 major components were identified （3-carene/α-pinene, β-phellandrene, limonene, germacrene, β-bourbonene, β-caryophylene, γ-muurolene, γ-elemene, spathulenol, β-eudesmol） （totally 97.02%）. Also, successive TLC and column chromatography of the essential oil resulted in the separation of four fractions. Based upon 1^H NMR, IR and mass spectra, the fractions with Rf=0.12 and 0.93 were determined as gualol and a mixture of α-pinene, β-phellandrene and limonene, respectively.     

Anthocyans from Fruit of Some Plants of the Caprifoliaceae Family

The qualitative and quantitative compositions of anthocyans from fruit of plants of the Caprifoliaceae family grown under conditions of Belgorod region were investigated. The plants included elder species [Sambucus nigra L. (I), S. canadensis (II), and S. canadensis f. sceletoniana (III)], Viburnum opulus L., and Lonicera caerulea L. It has been found that the principal anthocyans of I are cyanidin-3-sambubioside (52.5%) and cyanidin-3-glucoside (37.1%) whereas from the other two elder species the principal component was cyanidin-3-sambubioside-5-glucoside, acylated p-coumaric acid, 70.9 (II) and 54.3% (III). Fruit of the other plants did not contain acylated anthocyans. The content of anthocyans in fresh or dried fruit was determined by spectrophotometry.__________Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 132–133, March–April, 2005.     

Changes in the composition of volatile monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes of Pinus armandi, P. tabulaeformis, and P. bungeana in Northwest China

The volatile mono-and sesquiterpenes obtained from the needles and resin of Pinus armandi, P. tabulaeformis, and P. bungeana growing in the Qinling, Taibai, and Huanglong Mountain forest ecosystem were analyzed by means of GC-MS. Forty-eight constituents were identified, and α-pinene, β-pinene, 1R-α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, cadindiene, α-caryophyllene, D-limonene, and 1S-β-pinene were the major components of the mono-and sesquiterpenes in the needles and resin. The components of the volatile mono-and sesquiterpenes from the needles and resin at Qinling, Taibai, and Huanglong Mountains had remarkable differences in three pine species, whereas the monopertene content such as α-pinene, β-pinene, D-limonene, and camphene were mostly changed in the growing stage. The intraspecies variation in the different ecosystems can be attributed to the species’ geography and genetic variation, and even the adaptation of the pine species to different ecological environments. Moreover, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes can be induced by the attack of bark beetles, of which the α-pinene, β-pinene, 1R-α-pinene, 1S-α-pinene, b-myrecene, and β-caryophyllene contents had positive relations with the attacking Dendroctonus armandi and D. valens. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 430–433, September–October, 2006.     

Oriental Lacquer. 10. The South East Asian Lacquer

Abstract

The family Anacardiaceae consists of 76 genera and about 600 species. A comparison of the species of Anacardiaceae is discussed with special emphasis on the importance of the exudates, the so-called sap, for their importance as lacquer to produce lacquer ware. Many exudates are poisonous. The individual chemical compounds which constitute the active ingredients of the oleoresin part of the sap and their function are described based on space-filling molecular models. Emphasis is also given to the organic components of lacquer trees of the South East Asian region, which is compared to other species of the Anacardiaceae family.     

High‐performance liquid chromatography based chemical fingerprint analysis and chemometric approaches for the identification and distinction of three endangered Panax plants in Southeast Asia

Among Panax genus, only three endangered species Panax notoginseng, P. vietnamensis, and P. stipuleanatus that have a similar morphology are mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. These three plants are usually misidentified or adulterated. To identify them well, their chemical chromatographic fingerprints were established by an effective high‐performance liquid chromatography method. By comparing the chromatograms, the three Panax species could be distinguished easily using the 22 characteristic peaks. Besides, the data of the chromatographic fingerprints aided by chemometric approaches were applied for the identification and investigation the relationship of different samples and species. Using similarity analysis, the chemical components revealed higher similarity between P. vietnamensis and P. stipuleanatus. The results of hierarchical clustering analysis indicated that samples belonging to the same species could be clustered together. The result of principal component analysis was similar with hierarchical clustering analysis and the three principal components accounted for >80.5% of total variability.     

Plants of the Genus Zingiber: A Review of Their Ethnomedicine,Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Plant of the genus Zingiber (Zingiberaceae) have primarily distributed in subtropical and tropical Asia, South America and Africa. The species of this genus have been widely used as food and in folk with a long history for treating various diseases. Reports related to the phytochemistry and phytochemistry of Zingiber species are numerous, but articles on the summary of the genus Zingiber remain scarce. This review aims at presenting comprehensive information about the genus Zingiber and providing a reference for the future application by systematically reviewing the literature from 1981 to 2020. Currently, a total of 447 phytochemical constituents have been isolated and identified from this genus, in which volatile oils, diarylheptanoids, gingerols, flavonoids and terpenoids are the major components. Gingerols, which are the main functional components, are the spicy and aromatic ingredients in the Zingiber species. Extracts and single compounds from Zingiber plants have been discovered to possess numerous biological functions, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antimicrobial, larvicidal, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. This review provides new insights into the ethnomedicine, phytochemistry and pharmacology of the genus Zingiber and brings to the forefront key findings on the functional components of this genus in food and pharmaceutical industries.     

Studies on Natural Products from Cuban Plants. Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana citrifolia

A detailed study of the alkaloids from Tabernaemontana citrifolia, a species growing in Cuba is presented. Thirteen alkaloids were isolated and characterized. One of these, (?)-19-oxovoacristine ( 7 ), is a new compound isolated for the first lime from a natural source.     

Quantitative and fingerprinting analysis of Atractylodes rhizome based on gas chromatography with flame ionization detection combined with chemometrics

This study assessed the feasibility of gas chromatography with flame ionization detection fingerprinting combined with chemometrics for quality analysis of Atractylodes rhizome. We extracted essential oils from 20 Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana samples by hydrodistillation. The variation in extraction yields (1.33–4.06%) suggested that contents of the essential oils differed between species. The volatile components (atractylon, atractydin, and atractylenolide I, II, and III) were quantified by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection and confirmed by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, and the results demonstrated that the number and content of volatile components differed between A. lancea and A. koreana. We then calculated the relative peak areas of common components and similarities of samples by comparing the chromatograms of A. lancea and A. koreana extracts. Also, we employed several chemometric techniques, including similarity analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, principal component analysis, and partial least‐squares discriminate analysis, to analyze the samples. Results were consistent across analytical methods and showed that samples could be separated according to species. Five volatile components in the essential oils were quantified to further validate the results of the multivariate statistical analysis. The method is simple, stable, accurate, and reproducible. Our results provide a foundation for quality control analysis of A. lancea and A. koreana.     

Composition and antimicrobial activity of Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii

The chemical compositions and antimicrobial activities of the essential oils from two Turkish endemic species, Prangos platychlaena and P. uechtritzii, were investigated. Hydrodistillation was used to isolate the essential oils, and the chemical analyses were performed by GC and GC-MS. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the microdilution technique against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida albicans, C. krusei, and C. tropicalis. δ-3-Carene (3.39%) and p-cymene (3.38%) were identified as major components in P. platychlaena, and α-pinene (40.82%), nonene (17.03%), β-phellandrene (11.14%), δ-3-carene (7.39%), and p-cymene (4.90%) in P. uechtritzii. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 139–140, March–April, 2006.     

A novel strategy for rapid quantification of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol and 20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins in Panax notoginsengP. ginseng and P. quinquefolium

A novel strategy for the qualitative and quantitative determination of 20(S)-protopanaxatriol saponins (PTS) and 20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins (PDS) in Panax notoginseng, Panax ginseng and Panax quinquefolium, based on the overlapping peaks of main components of PTS (calibrated by ginsenoside Rg1) and PDS (calibrated by ginsenoside Rb1), was proposed. The analysis was performed by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with evaporative light scattering detection (HPLC-ELSD). Under specific chromatographic conditions, all samples showed two overlapping peaks containing several main ginsenosides belonging to PTS and PDS, respectively. The overlapping peaks were also identified by using HPLC–MS. Based on the sum and ratio of PTS and PDS, 60 tested Panax samples were divided into three main clusters according to their species. The findings suggested that this strategy provides a simple and rapid approach to quantify PTS and PDS in Panax herbs.     

Apolar constituents of some biologically active <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dianthus</Emphasis> species from Western Anatolia

The apolar constituents of four Dianthus (Caryophyllaceae) species were determined by GC-MS. Palmitic, linoleic, and oleic acids were detected as dominant components in all species. D. elegans d’Urv. var. elegans had the highest antioxidant activity. All four species also showed considerable antimicrobial activity against S. epidermidis and C. albicans.     

Rapid Determination of Aristolochic Acids I and II in Some Medicinal Plants by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Aristolochic acids (AA) are toxic components of Aristolochia plants which result in diseases of the kidney such as urothelial cancer. It is, therefore, essential to monitor the amount of aristolochic acid in herbal medicines. In this study a reversed-phase high-performance liquid-chromatographic (HPLC) method has been developed for rapid determination of aristolochic acids I and II. Baseline separation was achieved within five minutes by use of an ODS C₁₈ column with methanol–water, 60:40, as mobile phase. Two kinds of aristolochic acid were successfully determined in 31 herbal samples of Aristolochia fangchi Wu and Caulis Aristolochiae Manshuriensis. The results indicated that in most samples the aristolochic acid I content is much higher than that of aristolochic acid II. The two kinds of aristolochic acid were not detected in Aristolochia fangchi from the Guangdong region, so Aristolochia fangchi from this region is recommended for use in herbal remedies.     

Metallocene–methylaluminoxane catalysts for olefin polymerizations. III. Reduction of η5-cyclopentadienyl trichlorides of titanium and zirconium

The reactions occurring between the components of metallocene and methylaluminoxane (MAO) catalyst leading to the reduction of the former were studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). At low Al/Zr ratios, C_pZrCl₃ (C_p = η⁵-cyclopentadienyl) was reduced to simple trivalent Zr species (g = 1.998, a(⁹¹Zr) = 12.3 G) without other superhyperfine splittings. At higher Al/Zr ratios the reactions proceed further to form two CpZr(III) hydrides (g = 1.991, a(H) = 5.5 G; and g = 2.00, a(H) = 3 G). Two CpTi(III) hydrides were also produced by the reaction of MAO with CpTiCl₃ (g = 1.989, a(H) = 7.4 G, a(Ti) = 8 G; and, g = 1.995, a(H) = 4.5 G, a(Ti) = 8 G). In the case of Cp^*TiCl₃ (Cp^* = η⁵-pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl) initially a multitude of paramagnetic species were formed. After long reaction time the final products show EPR features consistent with two η³: η⁴-(1,2,3-trimethyl-4,5-dimethylene cyclopentadienyl)hydrido Ti(III) species: the abundant one with g = 1.999, (H, sextet) = 9.5 G, a(Ti) = 9.5 G, and a weaker one of g = 1.975, a(H) = 4.8 G. All the five protons of these species and as well as those in the Cp hydrido complexes of Ti and Zr undergo facile H? D exchanges with D₂. MAO is important in the formation of these hydrides because they are not formed by trimethyl aluminum reduction. The presence of tetrahydrofuran suppresses the hydride formation. The possible structures for the hydrido species and reactions producing them are discussed.     

Headspace Sorptive Extraction (HSSE) in the Headspace Analysis of Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

A new sampling technique, Headspace Sorptive Extraction (HSSE), is here applied for the first time to the headspace sampling of medicinal and aromatic plants. The analyte partition coefficient between HSSE‐PDMS stir bar and sample headspace (K₁), the concentration factor (CF), the reproducibility, and the minimum recoverable amount were determined by analyzing standard solution of high volatility C₅–C₇ compounds with different polarities and structures (cyclohexane, propyl acetate, hexanal, 1‐hexen‐3‐ol, isoamyl acetate, and 2‐heptanol). Four aromatic and medicinal plants, viz. rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.), sage (Salvia officinalis L.), thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.), and valerian (Valeriana officinalis L.) were analyzed by HSSE‐GC with PDMS stir bars, and their concentration capacity was compared with those of S‐HS and HS‐SPME with different fibers. HSSE showed very high concentration capability with both standard and real sample components.     

Chloroplast Biogenesis 77: Two Novel Monovinyl and Divinyl Light-Dark Greening Groups of Plants and Their Relationship to the Chlorophyll a Biosynthetic Heterogeneity of Green Plants

Abstract— On the basis of the steady-state accumulation of divinyl (DV) or monovinyl (MV) protochlorophyllide (Pchlide) a in darkness (D) or in the light (L), green plants have been classified into three different greening groups namely dark divinyl-light divinyl (DDV-LDV), dark monovinyl-light divinyl (DMV-LDV) and dark monovinyl-light monovinyl (DMV-LMV) (Ionannides et al., Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 22, 211-220,1994). Interruption of the L phase of the photoperiod by a brief period of darkness (LD condition) revealed a predominance of different chlorophyll (Chl) a biosynthetic routes, depending upon the greening group affiliation of the plant species. For example, in DMV-LDV and DMV-LMV plants, the predominant Chl a biosynthetic routes under the LD condition appear to be the MV Chi a biosynthetic route and/or a mixed DV-MV Chi a biosynthetic route that bifurcates at the level of DV Pchlide a. On the basis of DV and MV Pchlide a accumulation rates after re-darkening, this greening group is designated as a light-dark MV (LDMV) subgroup. In DDV-LDV plants, the predominant LD Chi a biosynthetic routes appear to be the DV Chi a biosynthetic route and/or a mixed DV-MV Chi a biosynthetic route that bifurcates at the level of DV Chlide a. This greening group is designated as a light-dark DV (LDDV) subgroup. It is proposed that upon inhibiting the conversion of Pchlide a to Chi a by interruption of the L phase of the photoperiod by a brief period of D, the rates of DV and MV Pchlide a regeneration may reflect the carryover rates of DV and MV Pchlide a biosynthesis in L instead of reflecting a differential use of DV and MV carboxylic biosynthetic rates in D. It is also shown that in LDMV plants, MV Chlide a and MV Chi a are formed without the participation of [4-vinyl] Chlide a reductase. On the basis of recently published evidence, it is also argued that Pchlide oxidoreductase-A (POR-A) may be active in LDDV plants, while POR-B may predominate in LDMV plant species. The evolutionary significance of the LDDV and LDMV greening subgroups is discussed.     

Iridoid glycosides and polyphenolic compounds from Teucrium chamaedrys L.

In this work, the phytochemical analysis of Teucrium chamaedrys L. collected in Italy was reported. Eight compounds were isolated and identified by means of classical column chromatography and spectroscopic techniques, such as NMR and MS. In detail, these compounds were: verbascoside (1), forsythoside b (2), samioside (3), alyssonoside (4), harpagide (5), 8-O-acetyl-harpagide (6), cirsiliol (7) and β-arbutin (8). The presence of these compounds, in particular iridoids and phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, has a chemotaxonomic relevance and results to be in perfect accordance with the current botanical classification of the species. In addition, it provides a phytochemical rationale for the use of this particular plant in the ethno-pharmacological field. Conversely, it is worth of mention the absence of potentially toxic components, unlike to what observed in other species of the genus which can no longer be used for ethno-medicinal purposes.     

Identifizierung von sechs Komponenten des Spurpheromons der Ameisenart Lasius fuliginosus. Vorläufige Mitteilung

Hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, and dodecanoic acid are components of the trail pheromone of the ant species Lasius fuliginosus. The acids were extracted from the contents of the rectal ampullae and identified by the mass spectra and gas chromatographic retention times of the corresponding methyl esters.     

Identification of Iridoids,Flavonoids and Triterpenes from the Methanolic Extract of Melampyrum bihariense A. Kern. and the Antioxidant Activity of the Extract

Melampyrum bihariense A. Kern. (Scrophulariaceae), a plant species used in traditional medicine for the treatment of rheumatic disorders and skin infections, was investigated with regard to its antioxidant activity and identification of its bioactive chemical constituents. The crude methanolic extract of the aerial parts of M. bihariense was examined by the spectrophotometric DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) and ferric reducing antioxidant power methods. The free radical scavenging capacity (SC₅₀) of the extract was found by the DPPH method to be 27.10 mg mL⁻¹, and the ferric reducing ability equivalent to ascorbic acid at 50 mg mL⁻¹ was 0.709 μg mL⁻¹. The chemical composition of this highly effective in the methanolic extract was analysed, and the main compounds were isolated through solvent–solvent partition, and multiple chromatographic separations, including column chromatography, vacuum liquid chromatography, centrifugal planar chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography. The structures were established by one- and two-dimensional NMR and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The iridoids aucubin (1), 8-epi-loganin (2) and mussaenoside (3), the flavones apigenin and luteolin and the triterpene acids ursolic acid and oleanolic acid were identified; components 2, 3, ursolic acid and oleanolic acid for the first time in this species. The present study reveals that M. bihariense exerts antioxidant activity, and the iridoids, flavonoids and triterpene acids may be the main bioactive constituents of its methanolic extract.