HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS comparison of the chemical composition of flowers from two Arnica species grown in Poland

Introduction: Arnica flowers are used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. According to EMA only endangered Arnica montana provides the medicinal plant material. However, some European countries also allow the use of A. chamissonis flowers, whose chemical composition is not known in detail. Objective: The aim of the study was to recognize and compare the chemical composition of A. montana and A. chamissonis flowers collected from plants cultivated in Poland. Methods: HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis comprised phenolic acids, flavonoids and sesquiterpene lactones. Results: Thirty eight flavonoids and phenolic acids were recognized and quantified, with patuletin, 6-methoxykaempferol and quercetin present only in A. chamissonis flowers. Moreover, helenalin and acetyl-dihydrohelenalin were identified. Conclusion: A. montana and A. chamissonis flowers from plants grown in Poland possess similar composition of simple phenols and polyphenols, present in concentration slightly higher in A. montana. Helenalin and dihydrohelenalin esters identified in arnica flowers from various regions of Europe were not detected

Chemosystematic value of the essential oil composition of Thuja species cultivated in poland-antimicrobial activity

In the framework of the correlation between chemotaxonomy and chemical analysis studies, the chemical composition of the essential oils of four varieties of Thuja species cultivated in Poland - T. occidentalis 'globosa', T. occidentalis 'aurea', T. plicata and T. plicata 'gracialis' - were investigated by GC and GC-MS. Thirty-one compounds were identified from T. occidentalis 'globosa', representing 96.92% of the total oil; twenty-seven from T. occidentalis 'aurea' (94.34%); thirty-one from T. plicata (94.75%); and thirty compounds from T. plicata 'gracialis' (96.36%). The main constituents in all samples were the monoterpene ketones α-and β-thujone, fenchone and sabinene, as well as the diterpenes beyerene and rimuene. The chemosystematic value of the total ketone content of all samples (which varied from 54.30-69.18%) has been discussed and investigated. The constituents, beyerene and the mixture of α-and β-thujone, were isolated from the oils and tested against six Gram-positive and-negative bacteria and three pathogenic fungi. The oils of the two T. plicata species exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, while the mixture of α-and β-thujone showed very strong activity as well