Arnica montana and its medicinal value in the light of scientific research

Arnica montana is a plant that has been used in medicine for hundreds of years. Currently it is used in phytotherapy as topical remedies (gels, ointments, liquids with extract from dried arnica flowers) and in homeopathy, in which oral application is also allowed (various dilutions of TM tincture from fresh planta tota). The aim of this work was to summarize the literature data on the importance of arnica and its products in phytotherapy on the background of its homeopathic applications, considering the chemical composition, pharmacological and biological activity, mechanisms of action, and the results of clinical trials. The results of biochemical and pharmacological research confirm the benefits of allopathic arnica products as anti-inflammatory agents. The mechanism of action is mostly based on the presence of two groups of biologically active substances: sesquiterpene lactones – helenalin, dihydrohelenalin and their esters, as well as polyphenolic compounds that enhance their activity. Clinical trials confirm the efficacy of analyzed arnica products in the treatment of muscle-skeletal system disorders of various etiology, including both sport injuries and rheumatic disorders. Additionally, the therapeutic potential of arnica is also associated with other biological activities, especially anti-oedema, anti-rheumatic, antioxidant, and beneficial influence on blood vessels. Recently published papers report also a promising potential of arnica in other indications, including treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The presented review of scientific reports indicates that A. montana products constitute a source of valuable biologically active compounds, and as a result, an effective remedy for inflammatory ailments of different etiology (sport injuries, rheumatic disorders). In addition to the well-established use of arnica as an anti-inflammatory agent, the results of recent years' research expand the therapeutic potential of the plant raw material with new possible applications and directions of action

Application of targeted 2D planar chromatography in the control of ginkgolic acids in some herbal drugs and dietary supplements

Two-step targeted 2D planar chromatographic method (2D-TLC) was used in the determination of ginkgolic acids in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. The choice of the extraction method and the separation technique was guided by the formulation type (capsule, tablet, tincture) with expected low amounts of ginkgolic acids in the analyzed herbal samples. Separation of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 on HPTLC RP18 WF254s was preceded by its separation from the sample matrix on TLC Si60 F254s. Mobile phases consisted of acetonitrile/water/formic acid (80:20:1, V/V/V) and n-heptane/ethyl acetate/formic acid (20:30:1, V/V/V), resp. Identification of separated compounds was based on 2D-TLC co-chromatography with reference substances and off-line 2D-TLC x HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. Quantification of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 was conducted densitometrically. Among the analyzed products, the presence of ginkgolic acids was confirmed only in herbal drugs containing 60 % ethanolic tinctures of Ginkgo biloba leaves. The use of TLC in the quantification of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 in ginkgo extracts was described for the first time

Qualitative and quantitative HPLC-ELSD-ESI-MS analysis of steroidal saponins in fenugreek seed

Fenugreek seeds are known as a source of various compounds, the most common of which are steroidal saponins. However, despite the growing interest in this plant material as a healing agent, spice and dietary supplements ingredient, the composition of Polish fenugreek seeds remains unknown. Therefore, the steroidal saponin complex in the seeds of T. foenum-graecum cultivated in Poland was qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed by the HPLC-ELSD-ESI-MS method. Two C-18 columns connected in a series were used for the first time in analysis of fenugreek saponins and ELS detector parameters were optimized. A total of 26 furostanol saponins were revealed, of which 24 were tentatively identified. The HPLC-ELSD method developed for quantitative analysis was preliminary validated and the determined amount of steroidal saponins in Polish fenugreek seeds was 0.14 %

TLC determination of some flavanones in the buds of different genus Populus species and hybrids

Flavonoids in the buds of eight Populus species and hybrids were detected and compared with the aid of an optimized TLC method. Separation of 17 flavonoid aglycones belonging to different groups, namely, flavones, flavonols, flavanones and flavanonols, previously described as constituents of poplar buds, was performed on silica gel plates using a hexane/ethyl acetate/formic acid (60:40:1.3, V/V/V) mixture as the mobile phase. Pinocembrin and pinostrobin were found in the majority of analyzed poplar buds. For quantitative analysis of both compounds, two TLC evaluation modes, densitometric and videodensitometric, were compared and the established methods were validated. Concentrations of flavanones in some extracts differed slightly or significantly due to the analyzed plant matrix complexity and the TLC evaluation mode applied. Poplar buds rich in flavanones originated from P. canadensis ‘Robusta’ (1.82 and 2.23 g per 100 g, resp.) and P. balsamifera (1.17 and 2.24 g per 100 g, resp.)

HPTLC determination of diosgenin in fenugreek seeds

A new HPTLC-densitometric method for diosgenin determination in fenugreek seeds was established after optimization of the conditions for efficient saponin extraction and acid hydrolysis. Several procedures were tested, the best of which was a three-step Soxhlet extraction, followed by hydrolysis of the obtained methanolic extract with 2 mol L–1 H2SO4. Best diosgenin separation from other hydrolysis products was obtained on HPTLC Si60F254 plates using a mixture of n-heptane/ethyl acetate (7:3, V/V) and modified anisaldehyde as a spraying reagent. The method was preliminarily validated and the determined amounts of diosgenin in fenugreek seeds of Polish and African origin were found to be similar and ranged from 0.12–0.18 %

TLC-densitometric analysis of allantoin in Symphytum officinale L. roots

A TLC-densitometric method for determination of allantoin in Symphytum officinale root was developed. Densitometric quantification of allantoin was carried out on TLC Si60 plates with butanol-50 % methanol-formic acid, 66.5:33.2:0.3 (V/V/V) as developing solvent, at a wavelength of 190 nm. The method was preliminarily validated in terms of specificity, linearity, precision, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery and robustness. The results of TLC quantification were compared with HPLC analysis carried out on a HILIC Luna NH2 100A column, with mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water 80:20 (V/V) and UV detection at 190 and 210 nm. Allantoin content was determined in two herbal products and it varied from 0.94 to 2.09 %, depending on the producer, and was in agreement with literature reports

TLC determination of some flavanones in the buds of different genus Populus species and hybrids

Flavonoids in the buds of eight Populus species and hybrids were detected and compared with the aid of an optimized TLC method. Separation of 17 flavonoid aglycones belonging to different groups, namely, flavones, flavonols, flavanones and flavanonols, previously described as constituents of poplar buds, was performed on silica gel plates using a hexane/ethyl acetate/formic acid (60:40:1.3, V/V/V) mixture as the mobile phase. Pinocembrin and pinostrobin were found in the majority of analyzed poplar buds. For quantitative analysis of both compounds, two TLC evaluation modes, densitometric and videodensitometric, were compared and the established methods were validated. Concentrations of flavanones in some extracts differed slightly or significantly due to the analyzed plant matrix complexity and the TLC evaluation mode applied. Poplar buds rich in flavanones originated from P. × canadensis ‘Robusta’ (1.82 and 2.23 g per 100 g, resp.) and P. balsamifera (1.17 and 2.24 g per 100 g, resp.)

Application of targeted 2D planar chromatography in the control of ginkgolic acids in some herbal drugs and dietary supplements

Two-step targeted 2D planar chromatographic method (2DTLC) was used in the determination of ginkgolic acids in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements. The choice of the extraction method and the separation technique was guided by the formulation type (capsule, tablet, tincture) with expected low amounts of ginkgolic acids in the analyzed herbal samples. Separation of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 on HPTLC RP18 WF254s was preceded by its separation from the sample matrix on TLC Si60 F254s. Mobile phases consisted of acetonitrile/water/formic acid (80:20:1, V/V/V) and n-heptane/ethyl acetate/formic acid (20:30:1, V/V/V), resp. Identification of separated compounds was based on 2D-TLC co-chromatography with reference substances and off-line 2D-TLC x HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. Quantification of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 was conducted densitometrically. Among the analyzed products, the presence of ginkgolic acids was confirmed only in herbal drugs containing 60 % ethanolic tinctures of Ginkgo biloba leaves. The use of TLC in the quantification of ginkgolic acids C15:1 and C17:1 in ginkgo extracts was described for the first time

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