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Development of analytical methods for mass spectrometric determination of helenanolide type sesquiterpene lactones in arnica and food relevant matrices (e.g. honey)
Project
Project code: BfR-SiN-08-1322-726
Contract period: 01.01.2019
- 31.12.2019
Purpose of research: Experimental development
Keywords: Arnica montana, helenanolides, anti-inflammatory components, fodder plant for bees
The Arnica montana plant belongs to the Asteraceae and grows on forest and mountain meadows up to high mountain locations in Central, Eastern and Northern Europe. The basic requirement is a low calcareous, slightly acidic, lean soil. A significant part of the world population of Arnica montana is native to Germany. However, the populations in the German lowland areas are declining strongly. This important medicinal plant is on the list of types of responsibility of the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation. This means that Germany has assumed special responsibility for the conservation and restoration of the arnica populations and thus for safeguarding the world population. Within the Arnica montana population there are different genetic varieties which have to be considered for the conservation of biodiversity and for the maintenance of the reproductive capacity of the plant. The known ingredients in leaves and flowers of Arnica montana include representatives of the flavonoid groups, phenylpropanoids (caffeic acid ester derivatives), terpenes and sesquiterpene lactones of the pseudoguaianolides type from the subgroup of helenanolides. Sesquiterpene lactones Helenalin, Dihydrohelenalin and their esters are the main anti-inflammatory components attributed to Arnica montana. From the user's point of view, they are the efficacy-determining ingredients in Arnica montana, whereby the helenaline compounds have stronger effects than the corresponding dihydrohelenaline compounds. (Hänsel, 2009) Within the framework of funding priorities, efforts are being made to stabilise the Arnica montana populations. A project approved by the University of Geisenheim and the Botanical Garden Marburg under the German Federal Programme Biological Diversity deals with the search for Arnica montana stocks that are suitable as donors for the reconstruction of former arnica sites. On the basis of the cooperation agreement concluded with the University of Geisenheim, the BfR supports this project with the development of modern analytical methods for the determination of helenanolide type sesquiterpene lactones in particular as well as some representatives of flavonoids and phenylpropanoids. The method is to be applied in the first year of application to Europe-wide collected arnica leaf material in order to describe the diversity of the genetic Arnica montana varieties depending on the region. Seeds of the sampled plants will be sown by the cooperation partners in Hessen and cultivated under standardized greenhouse conditions. In the following years, leaf material from the offspring is to be compared with the leaf material from the original location. The contents and profiles of the helenanolide type sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids and phenylpropanoids should enable a distinction to be made between stable and endangered arnica varieties. In order to prove this statistically, the cooperation partner will evaluate the measured data multivariately. The aim is to identify regiospecific donor plants for reintroduction and support measures. The flowers of Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis contain sesquiterpene lactones in particular and are used by the pharmaceutical industry as a raw material for the production of arnica ointments and tinctures for external use. Toxic effects such as nausea, arrhythmia, dizziness, liver toxicity, fatal gastroenteritis and heart muscle damage have been described with oral intake of sesquiterpene lactones-containing arnica blossom extract (EMEA, 1999). The use of arnica blossom extract via the oral route is therefore not permitted or only in homeopathic concentrations. The EFSA classifies the sesquiterpene lactones produced by Arnica montana and Arnica chamissonis as chemicals of concern (EFSA, 2012). Blossoming arnica plants serve the bee as a fodder plant (http://www.imkerei-trassl.de/bienenweide-a---e.html). An entry of the Helenanolide type sesquiterpene lactones into the human food chain seems to be possible. The BfR will therefore extend the analytical method to include the matrix flower material. With a view to early risk detection, the BfR will investigate the occurrence of helenanolide type sesquiterpene lactones detected in flowers in the food-relevant honey matrix.
(Hänsel, 2009): Hänsel, R. and Sticher, O. 2009. Pharmacognosy - Phytopharmacy, Springer Berlin Heidelberg.
(EMEA, 1999): EMEA CVMP. 1999. Arnica montana - Summary report. EMEA/MRL/647/99-FINAL
(EFSA, 2012): European Food Safety Authority; Compendium of botanicals reported to contain naturally occuring substances of possible concern for human health when used in food and food supplements. EFSA Journal 2012;10(5):2663. [60 pp.] doi:10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2663.
Section overview
Subjects
- Specialised crops
- Process engineering
