Comparative study of Arnica montana root and rhizome samples from Eastern Carpathians of Romania

In phytotherapy mainly the flower heads of A. montana L. are used, but use of rhizome and roots has also been reported in human and veterinary medicine [1]. Arnicae radix is listed in the European Council Regulation No. 2377/90, Annex II for veterinary purposes. Previous phytochemical studies on the underground parts of the plant focused mainly on the essential oil, while few data have been reported for the phenolic compounds constituents.

Use of Arnica roots and rhizome is only economically reasonable through development of cultures. Our study aims to evaluate the underground parts (roots and rhizome – average sample) wild populations of A montana with respect to biomass and content of phenolic compounds. The assessments focused on 6 wild populations in the Romanian Eastern Carpathians. Phytochemical assessments were performed by TLC and Folin-Ciocalteu method.

Over the three years of the experiment (2012 – 2014), the assessment of the biomass production showed substantial variations in dry substance (11.60 – 40.57 g d.w. for 25 plants) and of the loss on drying (56.71 – 70.69% of fresh weight). The TLC fingerprint revealed the presence of isochlorogenic acids. A total content in phenolic compounds of 1.11 – 2.72 g caffeic ac. equiv./100 g d.w. was found. Based on these data plant material will be selected for the development of cultures using autochthonous plant material.

Acknowledgement: The work was sustained through the program Partnership in Priority Areas – PNII, implemented with the support of MEN – UEFISCDI, Romania, project 74/2014.

References:

[1] Judžentienė A, Būdienė J. Analysis of the chemical composition of flower essential oils from Arnica montana of Lithuanian origin. Chemija 2009; 20: 190 – 194