Quantitative determination of the faradiol esters in marigold flowers and extracts

An HPLC method is introduced for the precise quantitative determination of the anti-inflammatory active faradiol esters from marigold flowers and extracts. After a prepurification the HPLC analysis allows the proof of the quality of marigold flowers or C02-extracts used for pharmaceutical preparations

Quantification of Sesquiterpene Lactones in Asteraceae Plant Extracts: Evaluation of their Allergenic Potential

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), mainly those with an activated exocyclic methylene group, are important allergens in Asteraceae (Compositae) plants. As a screening tool, the Compositae mix, consisting of five Asteraceae plant extracts with allergenic potential (feverfew, tansy, arnica, yarrow, and German chamomile) is part of several national patch test baseline series. However, the SL content of the Compositae mix may vary due to the source material. Therefore, a simple spectrophotometric method for the quantitative measure-ment of SLs with the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone moiety was developed, giving the percentage of allergenic compounds in plant extracts. The method has been validated and five Asteraceae extracts, namely feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare L.), arnica (Arnica montana L.), yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.), and German chamomile (Chamomilla recutita L. Rauschert) that have been used in routine patch test screening were evaluated. A good correlation could be found between the results obtained using the proposed spectrophotometric method and the corresponding clinical results. Thus, the introduced method is a valuable tool for evaluating the allergenic potential and for the simple and efficient quality control of plant extracts with allergenic potential

Analysis of the sesquiterpenes in Achillea species usinq liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry with positive ion atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation

The species of the Achillea millefolium group contain different sesquiterpenes which are of chemotaxonomical and pharmacological interest. Therefore the HPLC analysis of these compounds is a fundamental task for the quality control of Achillea samples. As difficulties in identification solely on the basis of retention times may arise, the LC was coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) allowing a selective and sensitive detection and thus the clear identification of the sesquiterpenes

Flavonoids in Achillea collina

In a detailed study on the flavonoid pattern of Achillea collina BECKER ten flavonoids were isolated from a methanolic extract of aerial parts of the plant. Their structures were determined by UV, ESI-MS, GC-MS and NMR spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR. Apigenin-7-O-rutinoside was proven for the first time in the genus Achillea