Patterns of Variation in Alkamides and Cichoric Acid in Roots and Aboveground Parts of Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench

Abstract

<jats:p>We investigated patterns of variation in alkamides and cichoric acid accumulation in the roots and aboveground parts of <jats:italic>Echinacea purpurea</jats:italic> (L.) Moench. These phytochemicals were extracted from fresh plant parts with 60% ethanol and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis. Concentrations of alkamides and cichoric acid were measured on a dry-weight basis (mg·g<jats:sup>–1</jats:sup>). For total alkamides, concentrations among individual plants varied from 5.02 to 27.67 (mean = 14.4%) in roots, from 0.62 to 3.42 (mean = 1.54) in nearly matured seed heads (NMSH), and 0.22 to 5.25 (mean = 0.77) in young tops (about ½ flower heads, ¼ leaves, and ¼ stems). For cichoric acid, concentrations among individual plants varied from 2.65 to 37.52 (mean = 8.95), from 2.03 to 31.58 (mean = 10.9), and from 4.79 to 38.55 (mean = 18.88) in the roots, the NMSH, and the tops, respectively. Dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide and dodeca-2E, 4E, 8Z, 10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamides 8/9) accounted for only 9.5% of the total alkamides in roots, but comprised 87.9% in the NMSH, and 76.6% in the young tops. Correlations of concentrations of alkamides or cichoric acid between those of roots and those of the NMSH were not statistically significant, and either within the roots, the NMSH, and the young tops. However, a significant negative correlation was observed between the concentration of cichoric acid in the roots and in young tops, and a significant positive correlation was observed between total alkamide concentration in the roots and cichoric acid concentration in the young tops. These results may be useful in the genetic improvement of <jats:italic>E. purpurea</jats:italic> for medicinal use.</jats:p>

Caffeoyl phenols and alkamides of cultivatedEchinacea purpureaandEchinacea atrorubensvar.paradoxa

“…However, the alkamides 8 and 9 content differed significantly in each of the tissues assayed, with roots containing highest levels of alkamides 8 and 9. These results are in agreement with other reports (Wills & Stuart, 1999;Qu et al, 2005;Thygesen et al, 2007). The alkamides 8 and 9 contents were also affected by cultivar.…”

“…Qu et al (2005) reported that the level of cichoric acid varied considerably between flower heads and roots of E. purpurea. The E. purpurea grown in Slovenia had cichoric acid of 10.76 and 15.…”

“…Many alkamides have been isolated and identified from the roots and flowers of E. purpurea (Kim et al, 2000;Stuart & Wills, 2000;Binns et al, 2002;Clifford et al, 2002), with dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamide 8) and dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide (alkamide 9) being predominant (Kim et al, 2000), particularly in the young tops (Qu et al, 2005). In the present study, alkamides 8 and 9 were detectable in flower heads, leaves and root portions of E. purpurea plants (Tables 3, 4, and 5).…”

Chemical Constituents, Quantitative Analysis and Antioxidant Activities ofEchinacea purpurea(L.) Moench andEchinacea pallida(Nutt.) Nutt.

“…It has constantly been one of the best selling genera in the American herb market (Qu et al . ). Because of the high demand for Echinacea , harvest has brought about a swift development of Echinacea cultivation throughout the world (Li ).…”

Phytochemical localization and fungal inhabitants in the fruits of four Echinacea taxa

“…pallida. Of these three, E. purpurea is used most frequently, making up about 80% of commercial production (Qu et al 2005).…”