title: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of essential oils from five parts of Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri Chinensis).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the essential oils from flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and fruits of Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri Chinensis).
  
  
  METHODS
  We extracted essential oils from different parts of Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri Chinensis) using a steam distillation method. The essential oils were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Data were collected in full scan mode (m/z 60-600). Volatile components were identified based on their retention indices and by comparing their mass spectra with those in the National Institute of Standards and Technology 2005 database, assisted by tandem mass spectrometry information. The relative content of each constituent was determined by area normalization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We identified 111 components, of which 12 were common to all 5 parts, 30 were found only in roots, 14 were found only in flowers, 6 were found only in leaves, 4 were found only in stems, and 17 were found only in fruits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that the stems, flowers, leaves, and fruits of Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri Chinensis) contain a high concentration of essential oils, and that the exact composition of the essential oils differs among the plant parts. To develop new medicines and make full use of the Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri Chinensis) resource, it is important to characterize the essential oils from different parts of the plant. In future research, it will be important to determine the pharmacological effects of the various components and the essential oil mixtures.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Xingfu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wenyu
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Jiuhua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhifei
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xingwang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Zhanguo
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D029972:Bupleurum / Q000737:chemistry*; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry*; D035264:Flowers / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D009822:Oils, Volatile / Q000737:chemistry*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D009822:Oils, Volatile