Evaluation of seasonal changes of triterpenic acid contents in Viscum album from different host trees.
BACKGROUND
Viscum album L. (Loranthaceae) is a semi-parasitic plant used in pharmacy and medicine mostly for its hypotensive and anticancer activity. The effects may be related to the presence of triterpenic acids, such as betulinic (BA) and oleanolic (OA) acids.


OBJECTIVE
In our investigations the content of triterpenic acids in V. album from different host trees depending on the season of harvest was determined.


METHODS
V. album herb was dried and extracted with ethyl acetate using ultrasound energy. The reversed phase HPLC-PDA method was used for the analysis of triterpenic acids. The structure of the target components was confirmed by mass spectrometry with an electrospray ionization source.


RESULTS
Diversity in the content of both compounds was noted; however, OA was the dominant triterpenic acid and the amount thereof was ∼10 times higher than that of BA. The analysis of changes in the amount of triterpenic acids during the spring-winter period revealed the highest content of OA in summer (from 6.84 to 13.65 mg/g). In turn, in the other seasons of harvest, the content was in the range of 4.41-9.83, 6.41-9.56 and 5.59-12.16 mg/g for spring, autumn and winter, respectively. In most cases, a similar tendency was observed for BA.


CONCLUSIONS
In most cases, the highest amount of the investigated compounds was found in summer; thus, this period seems to be optimal for acquisition of plant material rich in triterpenic acids.
a Department of Analytical Chemistry , Medical University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Magdalena
M
Wójciak-Kosior
a Department of Analytical Chemistry , Medical University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Ireneusz
I
Sowa
a Department of Analytical Chemistry , Medical University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Kamila
K
Pucek
b Botanical Garden of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University in Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Grażyna
G
Szymczak
a Department of Analytical Chemistry , Medical University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Ryszard
R
Kocjan
c Department of Neurology , Medical University of Lublin , Lublin , Poland.
Piotr
P
Luchowski
D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D009828:Oleanolic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012621:Seasons; D012997:Solvents; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013997:Time Factors; D014197:Trees / Q000469:parasitology*; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000378:metabolism*; D014465:Ultrasonics; D028182:Viscum album / Q000378:metabolism*; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
D000085:Acetates; D053978:Pentacyclic Triterpenes; D012997:Solvents; D014315:Triterpenes; D009828:Oleanolic Acid; C007650:ethyl acetate; D000094062:Betulinic Acid
Mistletoe; betulinic acid; oleanolic acid