HPLC Analysis of an Anticonvulsant Fraction from the Roots of Cephalaria Gigantea

摘要

The chemical composition and biological effectiveness of a Caucasian endemic plant -Cephalaria gigantea were studied. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids and phenol carboxylic acids was revealed in the roots of this plant. The main components, however, are triterpene glycosides, derivatives of hederagenin and oleanolic acid. They are represented by 15 compounds, named giganteosides. Giganteosides D, G, L, M and N turned out to be new organic compounds. Saponins containing glucuronic acid in the sugar chain were revealed in Cephalaria species. Antifungal and antiprotozoal activities of several giganteosides and enriched fractions were evaluated. The alkaloid fraction showed an antimalarial effect. The aqueous extract of C. gigantea roots has high anticonvulsive effect and minimal toxicity in pentylenetetrazol and audiogenic seizure models. The present paper describes isolation of an enriched fraction of phenolic compounds from the anticonvulsive substance, named "Epicef'. The high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis method of this fraction was proposed. Several dominant compounds were identified, on the basis on the retention time, using correspoding standards and UV spectra. Three main compounds were identified: chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and a flavonoid glycoside quercitrin. This method will be used for the standartization of the expected anticonvulsive drug form "Epicef.