Abstract
Leaves of Ilex aquifolium L. have been used for their therapeutic properties. In previous studies, components contained in the leaves were first isolated by various chromatographic techniques. Then, quantitation of oleanolic and ursolic acids, which are responsible for the biological and therapeutic activities of the plant, was performed by HPLC, HPTLC, and somewhat by GC-MS. Our objective was to develop a simple method that allows the identification of compounds contained in the leaves of Corsican I. aquifolium and to quantify ursolic and oleanolic acids. Leaves were successively extracted with hexane and dichloromethane. The extracts were chromatographed on silica gel and the fractions of column chromatography submitted to 13C-NMR analysis, following a computerized method developed in the laboratory. 13C-NMR allowed the identification of various triterpenes including ursolic acid and oleanolic acid. Quantitation of both acids was achieved, for the first time, by 1H-NMR after validation of the method (accuracy, precision, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantitation). Ursolic and oleanolic acids accounted for 55.3% and 20.8% of the dichloromethane extract, respectively. This represents 1.3% and 0.5% of the mass of dried leaves. 1H-NMR spectroscopy appeared as a powerful tool for a rapid quantitation of biologically active compounds from I. aquifolium.
Highlights
Recognizing known substances by analytical methods is widespread in the flavor and fragrance industry as well as in the pharmaceutical industry
1 H-NMR spectroscopy appeared as a powerful tool for a rapid quantitation of biologically active compounds from I. aquifolium
We developed a computerized method at the University of Corsica that allows the identification of individual components of a natural mixture starting from its 13 C-NMR spectrum
Summary
Recognizing known substances by analytical methods is widespread in the flavor and fragrance industry as well as in the pharmaceutical industry. Identification of volatile components contained in essential oils is routinely achieved by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Identification of heavy compounds in solvent extracts is usually performed by high performance liquid chromatography with various detector modes, coupled with MS or MS-MS (HPLC-MS or HPLC-MS-MS). High performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) has been punctually employed as well as GC after acetylation and/or silylation steps. We developed a computerized method at the University of Corsica that allows the identification of individual components of a natural mixture (essential oil, vegetable oil, bio-oil, and solvent extract) starting from its 13 C-NMR spectrum. Quantitation of some compounds could be performed by 13 C-NMR or by 1 H-NMR. The aim of the present study was to investigate the composition of leaf extracts from Corsican Ilex aquifolium L., using various NMR methods
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