Planta Med 2009; 75 - PJ190
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1234995

Chemical constituents of Angelica lucida fruits

J Widelski 1, M Popova 2, K Graikou 3, K Głowniak 1, I Chinou 3
  • 1Medical University of Lublin, Department of Pharmacognosy, Chodżki 1,20–093 Lublin
  • 2Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev str., bl.9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
  • 3University of Athens, School of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacognosy and Chemistry of Natural Products, Zografou Campus, 15771, Athens, Greece

The genus Angelica is well documented for the presence of coumarins, which are known for a broad spectrum of pharmacological properties. In the framework of our research concerning chemical composition of different Umbelliferae plants, we report in this study the chemical composition of the fruits of Angelica lucida L.

Tender parts of the plant have been used as food, analgesic and tonic against common colds by Eskimos. The roots as well as the young stems of the plant have been taken as a preventative medicine [1].

In this study, from the petroleum ether and the methanolic extract of the fruits of the plant, five known coumarins have been isolated (imperatorin, isoimperatorin, heraclenol, heraclenin and oxypeucedanin hydrate). Their structure elucidation was performed by modern spectral means (1D- and 2D-NMR) and literature data [2]. These compounds have been also isolated from other species of the genus Angelica [2, 3] but for the first time from A. lucida.

Biological activities (antimicrobial and cytototoxic activities) of all isolated compounds are also under investigation.

References: [1] Lawrence, B.M. and Morton, J.K. (1974) Phytochemistry 13:528.

[2] Harkar, S. et al. (1984) Phytochemistry 23:419–426.

[3] Bergendorff, O. et al. (1997) Phytochemistry 44:1121–1124.