Planta Med 2016; 82 - PC88
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1578790

Investigations On The Anatomy And Essential Oil Chemistry Of Siberian Ginseng Leaves

CM Zhai 1, 2, M Wang 1, V Raman 1, J Rehman 1, YH Meng 1, 2, B Avula 1, YH Wang 1, ZK Tian 2, IA Khan 1, 3
  • 1National Center for Natural Products Research, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
  • 2Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, Heilongjiang Province, China
  • 3Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Biomolecular Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA

Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. the Siberian ginseng, is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Its medicinal uses can be traced back to Qin and Han Dynasty (221 B.C.). Its roots and stems have been used as medicine for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-fatigue properties [1]. Due to over-harvesting for its roots and stems, the wild populations of the species are facing threat of extinction. In China, the use of roots has now been regulated by the Government [2]. As a measure to protect the species, the leaves are being recommended as a substitution to the root and stem. Thus, scientific data is essential to support the medicinal use of E. senticosus leaves.

The aim of the present work was to study the morpho-anatomy of leaves and characterize the composition of the essential oil from the leaves. Detailed descriptions of micromorphology and anatomy of the leaves are provided for correct identification of the leaf material. Anatomy of the leaves showed the presence of oil droplets in the palisade and spongy cells and cluster crystals of calcium oxalate were common in the mesophyll. The essential oil obtained by hydro-distillation from the leaves was analyzed by GC/MS (Figure 1). A total of 151 compounds were detected and identified by database search, constituting more than 99% of the oil. The dominant components included α-bisabolol (26.46%), caryophyllene (7.45%), germacrene D (6.87%) and β-bisabolene (4.95%). In addition, the essential oil was subjected to mosquito biting deterrence activity against yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) in the in vitro K&D bioassay system. The proportion not biting (PNB) value of the oil was 0.62 at 10 µg/cm2 as compared to 0.86 of standard N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide, DEET (25 nmol/cm2). The results obtained by this study will be useful for the development of E. senticosus leaf as a new resource for medicinal use.

Fig. 1: Chromatogram of E. senticosus oil

Acknowledgements: This research is supported in part by “Discovery and Development of Natural Product-Based Insect Management Compounds for Medical, Veterinary and Urban Concern” funded by the United States Department of Agriculture grant number 58 – 6402 – 1-602 – 07, and The United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Specific Cooperative Agreement No. 58 – 6408 – 1-603 – 07.

References: [1] Guo M, Song F, et al. (2006) Analytical Chimica Acta, 557: 198. [2] Meng X, Du X, et al. (2009) Research and Practice of Chinese Medicines, 23: 6.