RESEARCH OF THE FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF RUSSELL’S LISIANTHUS HERB

Abstract

Substances of a lipophilic nature are of special interest for pharmacy, in particular fatty acids, which exhibit antithrombotic, cardioprotective, hypotensive, antiarrhythmic, antidiabetic, hypocholesterolemic and anti-inflammatory effects, etc. Russell’s lisianthus (Lisianthus russellianus Hook.) of the Gentian family (Gentianaceae Juss.) is one of the new representatives of the flora of Ukraine, which began to be widely cultivated around the world only at the end of the 20th century. Russell’s lisianthus is known to contain xanthones, secoiridoids, and flavonoids, and is used in traditional medicine as a sedative, anti-inflammatory, and laxative remedy. There is no information on the fatty acid composition of Russell’s lisianthus herb in the scientific literature. The aim of the work was to study the fatty acids composition of Russell’s lisianthus herb of Borealis Apricot species. Materials and methods. The identification and quantitative content determination of fatty acids in the relevant medicinal plant raw materials was carried out by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of fatty acids methyl esters using an Agilent 6890N gas chromatography-mass spectrometry system with a 5973N mass spectrometry detector adapted for work with capillary columns in programmed mode, in combination with a computer. The identification of fatty acid methyl esters of the studied mixture was performed by comparing the retention time of a standard mixture of fatty acid methyl esters using the NIST 02 mass spectrum library. Quantitative analysis was performed by adding a solution of the internal standard to the tested samples. Results. It was determined that the fatty acid composition of Russell’s lisianthus herb is represented by 12 compounds, among which saturated fatty acids predominated in terms of content. Palmitic and linoleic acids were quantitatively predominant in the studied raw materials, the content of which was about 21% and 23%, respectively, of the content of all fatty acids. Lignoceric and oleic acids were somewhat less in the studied samples. The conducted studies open the prospects of creating a new medicinal product based on Russell’s lisianthus herb.