Chemical Compositions of the Essential Oils of Stems,Leaves, and Roots of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Prangos latiloba</Emphasis>

Hydrodistilled volatile oils from crushed dry stems, leaves, and roots of Prangos latiloba Korov. (Umbelliferae) growing wild in Sabzevar (Iran) were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Eight compounds constituting 84.72% of stem oil, twelve compounds constituting 95.39% of leaf oil, and nine compounds constituting 88.73% of root oil have been identified. The main components of stem oil were γ-cadinene (30.39%), α-pinene (25.47%), and sabinene (12.55%). The main components of leaf oil were germacrene D (27.79%), α-pinene (17.81%), β-caryophyllene (12.75%), and β-pinene (11.23%). The main components of root oil were spathulenol (29.5%), 1,8-cineol (19.42%), p-cymene (17.03%), and α-bisabolol (15.33%). __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 443–444, September–October, 2005.     

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium elegans</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bunium caroides</Emphasis>

Analyses of the essential oils of Bunium elegans (Fenzl) Freyn and B. caroides (Boiss.) Hausskn. ex Bornm., using GC, GC/MS, and¹³ C-NMR spectroscopy resulted in identification of their chemical constituents. The oils of both species contain mainly the sesquiterpene hydrocarbons germacrene-D and E-caryophyllene, which amounted to 24.1% and 38% for B. elegans and 22.1% and 26.6% for B. caroides respectively. The oil of B. caroides contained the monoterpenes α-pinene and Z-β-ocimene in 4.1 and 5.9% respectively, while traces of monoterpenes were detected for B. elegans. On the other hand, in B. caroides the phenylpropanoid derivatives asaricin (7.5%) and dillapiole (10.2%) were among the major constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 335–336, July–August, 2005.     

Essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Laurus nobilis</Emphasis> from Montenegro

Steam distilled oil from the shoots, separated leaves, and stem, as well as from the flower of laurel (Laurus nobilis), grown in Montenegro, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The yield of essential oil was as follow: 1.4% in young shoots, 1.5% in the separated leaves, and 0.7% in separated stems. The main constituents of all investigated oils were 1,8-cineole, methyleugenol, and α-terpinyl acetate. Besides, α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, and linalool were also present. It was interesting and important for commercial samples of laurel essential oil that there was no significant difference among the essential oil obtained from young shoots and those obtained from leaves and stem. The main constituents of the flower oil were 1,8-cineole (15.7%), β-caryophyllene (9.5%), γ-muurolene (7.1%), α-terpinyl acetate (6.5%), and methyleugenol (3.9%). Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 337–339, July–August, 2007.     

Essential oil composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Santolina etrusca</Emphasis> from Italy

The essential oil composition of aerial parts of Santolina etrusca Marchi & D’Amato from Italy was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Twenty-nine compounds of oil were identified representing 97.1% of the oil. The most abundant compounds were viridiflorol (17.9%), terpinen-4-ol (14.4%), myrcene (11.8%), β-pinene (9.9%), and cis-muurola-4(14),5-diene (9.9%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the GC/MS determination of the essential oil composition of S. etrusca. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 38–39, January–February, 2007.     

Composition of essential oils from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Salvia anatolica</Emphasis>, a new species endemic from Turkey

The component composition of essential oils produced by steam distillation from flower heads, leaves, and stems of Salvia anatolica (Lamiaceae), a recently described new species endemic from Turkey, was studied by GC/FID and GC/MS. A total of 127 volatile components representing 96% of the oil was identified in essential oil from flower heads and leaves. It was found that the principal oil components of flower heads and leaves were α-pinene (10.9%), β-pinene (6.7%), α-copaene (6.3%), heptacosane (6.2%), and hexadecanoic acid (5.0%). A total of 109 volatile compounds representing 87.9% of the oil was characterized in essential oil isolated from stems. The principal oil components of stems were identified as hexadecanoic acid (27.2%), tetradecanoic acid (15.2%), dodecanoic acid (5.5%), and α-copaene (5.0%). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 552–555, November–December, 2007.     

The volatile constituents of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dracocephalum kotschyi</Emphasis> oils

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Dracocephalum kotschyi (Lamiaceae) aerial parts, grown in Iran and obtained from three different methods, were determined by GC and GC/MS. Fifty-seven compounds (93.3%) in the hydrodistillate oil, 55 compounds (94.2%) in the steam distillate oil, and 34 compounds (98.4%) in the hydrolate were identified. The major compounds in the hydrodistillate oil were α-pinene (12.1%), methyl geranate (11.2%), β-ocimene (8.6%), and limonene (7.2%). α-Pinene (15%), methyl geranate (14.5%), limonene (11.2%), and β-ocimene (8.4%) were the most abundant components in the steam distillate oil. The percentages of geraniol (13%), trans-verbenol (11.6%), and terpinen-4-ol (11.2%) were more than other constituents in the hydrolate. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 35–37, January–February, 2007.     

Essential Oil Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta involucrata</Emphasis> from Iran

The essential oil of Nepeta involucrata (Bunge) Bornm. (Lamiaceae) obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts during the flowering stage was analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-eight compounds representing 97.2% of total oil were identified. The main compounds of the oil were 1,8-cineol (23.1%), germacrene-D (15.1%), and β-pinene (12.2%). No traces of nepetalactone isomers were found as oil constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 562–564, November–December, 2005.     

Chemical variability of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia herba-alba</Emphasis> Asso essential oils from East Morocco

Chemical compositions of 16 Artemisia herba-alba oil samples harvested in eight East Moroccan locations were investigated by GC and GC/MS. Chemical variability of the A. herba-alba oils is also discussed using statistical analysis. Detailed analysis of the essential oils led to the identification of 52 components amounting to 80.5–98.6 % of the total oil. The investigated chemical compositions showed significant qualitative and quantitative differences. According to their major components (camphor, chrysanthenone, and α- and β-thujone), three main groups of essential oils were found. This study also found regional specificity of the major components.     

Composition of the essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Stachys acerosa</Emphasis> growing in central Iran

The essential oil of aerial parts of Stachys acerosa, which belongs to the Lamiaceae family and grows in central Iran, was obtained by a hydrodistileation method and analyzed by GC and GC-MS apparatus. Fourteen compounds representing 98.8% of the oil were identified. Among them N-methylisatin (30%), α-pinene (25%), sabinene (12.3%), and 2-hydroxyacetophenone (11.2%) were the major constituents of the oil, which was obtained in 0.1% yield. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 32–34, January–February, 2007.     

Essential Oil Composition of Four <Emphasis Type="Italic">Achillea</Emphasis> Species from the Balkans and Its Chemotaxonomic Significance

The chemical composition of the essential oils of Achillea clavennae L., Achillea holosericea Sibth. & Sm., Achillea lingulata W. & K., and Achillea millefolium L. from the Balkans was determined by GC and GC/MS analyses. The main components were 1,8-cineole in A. holosericea, camphor in A. clavennae, β-pinene in A. millefolium, and τ-cadinol in A. lingulata. A detailed chemotaxonomic discussion is presented. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 555–558, November–December, 2005.     

Analysis of Essential Oil from the Needles of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus pinaster</Emphasis> Growing in Algeria

The needle oil of the Algerian maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.) growing in natural habitats in Sidi Feradj (Algiers region) was obtained by hydrodistillation in 0.3% yield and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. More than 46 compounds amounting to 65.2% of the total oil were identified. The main components were β-caryophyllene (26.6%), allo-aromadendrene (12.5%), and α-humulene (4.3%). __________ Published in Kimiya Prirodnikh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 445–447, September–October, 2005.     

Separation and identification of steroidal compounds with cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer cell lines <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> from the rhizomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Paris polyphylla</Emphasis> var. <Emphasis Type="Italic">chinensis</Emphasis>

A novel steroidal saponin, along with 12 known steroidal compounds, was isolated from the rhizomes of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis. Spectral data, including two-dimensional NMR, showed that the structure of the novel saponin was 3β,21-dihydroxypregnane-5-en-20S-(22,16)-lactone-1-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl(1→3)]-β-D-glucopyranoside. The isolated steroidal compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity on human gastric cancer cell line HepG₂, SGC7901, BxPC3. Diosgenin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1→2)[α-L-rabinofuranosyl(1→4)]-β-D-glucopyranoside exhibited the most potent cytotoxic activity among the isolated steroids. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 6, pp. 556–560, November–December, 2007.     

Chemical composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pinus silvestris</Emphasis> essential oil from contaminated areas

The chemical composition of Pinus silvestris essential oil from contaminated areas was studied. An apparent effect of radionuclides and toxic elements on the biosynthesis of terpenoids in common pine essential oil was found. Increasing contamination apparently increased the content of sesquiterpenes and O-containing substances and decreased the content of monoterpenes in the essential oil. The contents of α-pinene, camphene, and limonene increased and those of 3-carene, terpinolene, and β-pinene decreased in the monoterpene fraction. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 1, pp. 47–49, January–February, 2007.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ferula gummosa</Emphasis> Fruits: An Aromatic Antimicrobial Agent

Ferula gummosa Boiss. (Apiaceae) fruit volatile oil was analyzed by GC/MS. Seventy-three components (96.89%) were identified, and the major components were β-pinene (43.78%), α-pinene (27.27%), and myrcene (3.37%). The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested on three strains of Gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermis, and Bacillus subtilis), three strains of Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa), and two strains of fungi (Candida albicans and C. kefyr). The essential oil remarkably inhibited the growth of the tested microorganisms. The results indicate that the fruits have potential for use as an aromatic antimicrobial agent.__________Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 252–254, May–June, 2005.     

The chemical composition of fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pistacia atlantica</Emphasis> desf. subsp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">atlantica</Emphasis> from Algeria

The chemical composition of the fruits of the north algerian ecotype Pistacia atlantica subsp. atlantica was determined and compared to other fruits of different species in the genus growing in south Algeria and other Mediterranean regions. These fruits were analyzed for their dry matter, protein, crude oil, ash, fatty acids, and phytosterol content. The main fatty acids identified by gas chromatography were oleic (54.15%), linoleic (28.84%), and palmitic (12.21%) acids. The fruits of the north ecotype were found to be rich in protein, oil, fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, suggesting that they may be valuable for food uses. The sterols isolated were campesterol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and Δ⁵-avenasterol with β-sitosterol as the major constituent (85%±0.85). The biochemical data indicated an elevated MUFA rate (∼56%) in pistacia oil which may be important against certain pathologies for its nutritional and preventive virtues. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 103–105, March–April, 2007.     

Alpinine,A New Norditerpene Alkaloid from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Delphinium alpinum</Emphasis>

The known alkaloids deltaline, methyllycaconitine, elasine, and the new norditerpene alkaloid alpinine were isolated from the aerial part of Delphinium alpinum. The structure of the last was proposed as 1α,6β, 16β-trimethoxy-7-hydroxy-8-ethoxy-14α-propionyloxy-4β-(2″-methyl)succinylanthranoyloxymethyl-N-ethylaconitane on the basis of PMR, ¹³C NMR, IR, and mass spectra. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 469–471, September–October, 2005.     

Composition of the Essential Oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhabdosciadium strausii</Emphasis> from Iran

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Rhabdosciadium strausii (Apiaceae) growing wild in Iran was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Forty-two compounds were characterized, representing 97.5% of the total oil. β-Elemene (37.9%) and germacrene-D (32.2%) were identified as the major constituents. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 333–334, July–August, 2005.     

Composition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Carlina acanthifolia</Emphasis> Root Essential Oil

The root of Carlina acanthifolia All. (Asteraceae) contained 1.0% of essential oil (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). Using GC and GC/MS, nine components were identified (100% of total oil). The structure of benzyl 2-furylacetylene (carlina oxide), which is the principal component of the oil (91.5%), was spectrometrically identified. __________ Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 331–332, July–August, 2005.     

Reaction of frangula-emodin with <Emphasis Type="Italic">α</Emphasis>-bromoalkylmethylketones

The alkylation of 1,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methylanthraquinone (frangula-emodin) by α-bromoalkylmethylketones was investigated. Hydroxyls in the 1-and 8-positions of the β-derivatives were O-acylated. The compositions and structures of the prepared compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis and UV, IR, PMR, and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 324–326, July–August, 2007.     

New Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins from Bark of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Platanus orientalis</Emphasis>

Two oligomeric proanthocyanidinglycosides were isolated from bark of Platanus orientalis. Their structures and relative configurations were established as 7-O-β-D-Glcp-(−)-epicatechingallate-(4β-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-5-O-β-D-Glcp-epicatechingallate (Pl-1) and 7-O-β-D-Glc→6-O-β-D-Glcp-(−)-epigallocatechingallate-(4β-8)-(+)-catechingallate-(4β-8)-(+)-catechingallate-(4β-8)-(−)-epigallocatechingallate-(4α-8)-(−)-epicatechin-(4β-8)-[5-O-β-D-Glcp-→6-O-β-D-Glc→6-galloyl(−)-epigallocatechingallate (Pl-7). __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 325–330, July–August, 2005.