title: Volatile constituents of Aristolochia argentina.
abstract: The essential oils from leaves, aerial stems and underground organs of Aristolochia argentina Gris., a medicinal plant popularly known as "charrúa", were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Forty-three components were identified in the oils. All parts of the plant afforded volatile oils characterized by high levels of argentilactone (57-89%) and the presence of undecatriene isomers (0.3-4.0%), these latter compounds providing the essential oils and extracts with an intense particular odor. Terpenes account for the remaining portion of the essential oils (5-29%). Bicyclogermacrene predominates in the aerial parts of the plant, whereas ishwarane is the main terpene of the subterranean organs. Argentilactone, a suspected carcinogenic compound, was also identified in a medicinal commercial tincture of A. argentina.
authors.affiliation: Cátedra de Farmacognosia, IQUIMEFA (UBA-CONICET), Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Junín 956 (1113), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Horacio A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Priestap
authors.forename: Catalina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: van Baren
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Di Leo Lira
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Coussio
authors.forename: Arnaldo L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bandoni
mesh_terms: D000475:Alkenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification; D029065:Aristolochiaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D007536:Isomerism; D007783:Lactones / Q000302:isolation & purification; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D018514:Plant Structures / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000475:Alkenes; D007783:Lactones; D009822:Oils, Volatile; D013729:Terpenes; C108954:argentilactone