Comparative study on volatile oil in Rhizoma chuanxiong by steam distillation and supercritical fluid extraction / 药学实践杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To clarify the influence of the extraction process on its active ingredients by comparing the volatile oils of Rhizoma Chuanxiong obtained under different processes. Methods The volatile oil of Rhizoma Chuanxiong was extracted by supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE) and steam distillation. The main chemical components and relative contents were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Results A total of 18 common components were identified in the volatile oil samples of Chuanxiong from the two methods. In steam distillation samples, main components included phthalides (61%), monoterpenoids (25%) and sesquiterpenes (10%). In SFE samples, phthalides (97%) were major components, followed by monoterpenoids (1%),sesquiterpenes (0.4%) and other minor components. Conclusion The steam distillation retains highly volatile components in Rhizoma chuanxiong such as monoterpenoids and sesquiterpenes. For SFE approach, the phthalides were extracted more efficiently compared with other components. The effect of the extraction process on the active ingredients should be fully considered in obtained products of Rhizoma chuanxiong since the difference in constituents may result in varied effects.