[Comparison on content of ligustilides in different danggui samples]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacognosy
• Phytochemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry

Background:

• Danggui's bioactivity is attributed to ligustilide content.
• The relationship between ligustilide and herb morphology, cultivation regions, and species is not well-understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the variations in ligustilide content among different Danggui samples.
• To explore the correlation between ligustilide levels and herb characteristics, geographical origin, and species.

Main Methods:

• Quantification of Z-ligustilide and E-ligustilide using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection and Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-DAD-MS).
• Comparison of total ligustilide content across 44 Danggui samples, including Chinese Danggui (CDG), Japanese Danggui (JDG), Korean Danggui (KDG), and European Danggui (EDG).

Main Results:

• Chinese Danggui (Angelica sinensis) showed a wide range of ligustilide content (5.63-24.53 mg/g).
• Ligustilide levels varied by cultivation area in China (Yannan: 13.90 mg/g, Sichuan: 12.51 mg/g, Gansu: 10.04 mg/g).
• Higher ligustilide content was observed in samples with smaller main roots, longer rootlets, and stronger fragrance. JDG (A. acutiloba) contained 1.00 mg/g, and EDG (Levisticum officinale) contained 2.78 mg/g. Ligustilide was undetectable in KDG (A. gigas) and A. archangelica.

Conclusions:

• Ligustilide content is highly variable among Danggui plant species.
• These variations in ligustilide content likely contribute to differences in bioactivity and therapeutic effects.
• Cultivation area and herb morphology are also factors influencing ligustilide levels.