Pharmacognostic investigation of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.).

摘要

This work was conducted within Project 1 of the UIC/NIH Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research. The focus of project one is the standardization of botanicals for womens' health for FDA-style Phase I and II clinical studies. This work details primarily the botanical and chemical aspects of botanical dietary supplement standardization.; The specific aims of this work were; (1) effectively review the existing literature on the chemical, biological and botanical aspects that would be essential for the standardization of black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa (L.) Nutt.). (2) To botanically standardize a black cohosh extract using the appropriate microscopical, taxonomic and genetic fingerprinting techniques available to the UIC/NIH Center, (3) isolation and characterization of known and novel constituents for the chemical standardization and biological standardization of a black cohosh extract, and to develop preparative methodologies for isolation and characterization where needed. (4) To chemically standardize a black cohosh extract using the appropriate techniques such as HPLC-ELSD, and develop methodologies where appropriate. (5) Ultimately, the application of the aforementioned aims to best formulate a standardized black cohosh extract for clinical study.; The end result was the formulation of a 75% biologically, chemically and genetically standardized extract ethanolic extract currently undergoing clinical study at UIC and the isolation of novel constituents from black cohosh. The most significant finding reported herein is the isolation and elucidation of a guanidine alkaloid, cimipronidine, the first report of such a constituent in black cohosh.