Comprehensive Analysis of Artemisiae scopariae herba from different growing areas

Artemisiae scopariae herba (Yinchen) is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treatment of hepatic diseases like jaundice. Since TCM is getting popular in Europe, monographs are developed for the German and European pharmacopoeias [1,2]. Moreover the Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (Lfl) successfully cultivates Chinese medicinal plants to ensure authenticity of the plant material and quality of the preparations thereof. Plant material provided from suppliers of Chinese origin and the Lfl showed after morphological analysis a significant different habitus between German and Chinese plants. Furthermore, phytochemical analyses by TLC and GC also revealed a different spectrum of polyphenols and volatile compounds between the two geographical sources. To examine the variation of the essential oil in more detail the water-distilled essential oil from the aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia Waldst et Kit was analyzed with GC- FID and GC-MS for both provenances revealing capillene as one characteristic differentiating compound. PCR-Analysis of the Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) authenticated from the genetical point of view that despite all morphological and phytochemical differences both sources of Artemisiae scopariae herba belong to the same source plant named Artemisia scoparia.

Acknowledgement: The BfArM (Kurt-Georg-Kiesinger-Allee3, 53175 Bonn, Germany) is gratefully acknowledged for financial support.

The Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (Am Gereuth 8, 85354 Freising, Germany) is gratefully acknowledged for providing samples and support.

References: 1. German Pharmacopoeia 2010 (DAB 2010)

2. European Pharmacopoeia 2011 (Ph. Eur. 2011)