Chemical Composition of Essential Oils from Athamanta sicula

Abstract

The genus Athamanta L. (Apiaceae) consists of about nine species, which are distributed mainly in southeastern Europe. Some of the Athamanta species are used in traditional medicine as antiseptics, diuretics, and in the therapy of sclerosis [1]. Phytochemical studies of species from the genus Athamanta report the presence of coumarins [2–5], flavonoids [6], and fatty acids [7]. Athamanta sicula L. is an annual perennial herb, growing to a height of 30 to 100 cm. It occurs in calcareous vertical cliffs 100 meters to 1500 meters above sea level and is widespread in South Italy, particularly in Sicily. In the popular medicine, it is known as “spaccapietre” (rock splitters), and infusions of its fresh roots are indicated as a diuretic and for treatment of urinary tract diseases; more specifically it is used to dissolve kidney stones [8, 9]; the habitat, and ecological and phytosociological characteristics are also reported [10]. The chemical composition of the essential oils of the flowers and fruits of Athamanta haynaldii were found to contain appreciable amounts of myristicin (39 % ca. of the total oil) in addition to monoterpene and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons. In the essential oil of ripe fruits of A. haynaldii the main component was β-pinene [11]. GC analysis of the essential oil aerial parts of Athamanta macedonica showed the presence of sabinene as the main component (50.47%) [12].