Chromatographic characterization on flavonoids and triterpenes of leaves and flowers of 15 crataegus L. species.

The Hawthorn (Crataegus L.) is the most commonly used herb for treating cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this paper was the analysis and comparison of HPTLC chromatographic profiles of flavonoids and triterpenes of leaves and flowers of 15 Crataegus L. species occurring throughout Eurasia and North America, and determination of specific distinguishing markers of its fingerprints. The optimal chromatographical conditions for evaluation of flavonoids and triterpenes of 15 Hawthorn species were proposed, the specific HPTLC fingerprints were obtained. The flavonoids fingerprints were qualitatively much the same for the pharmacopoeial species C.laevigata/oxyacantha and C.monogyna and other related non-pharmacopoeial European and Asian Hawthorn species including C.curvisepala, C.pseudokyrtostyla, C.fallacina, C.leiomonogyna, C.ambigua, C.sanguinea, C.almaatensis, C.turkestanica. The specific distinctive features for Hawthorn species native to North America, including C.punctata var aurea, C.pringlei, C.festiva, C.douglasii and C.holmesiana, were determined. The evaluation of the triterpenes profiles showed that all 15 analyzed Hawthorn species had quite similar fingerprints.

Investigation of physical and chemical stability of ointment with herbals.

The physical and chemical stability of a stock preparation ointment with active ingredients-herbal tinctures of calendula and arnica-for the treatment of hemorrhoids was studied. Evaluations for physical and chemical stability were performed initially and throughout the storage period. Physical stability of the ointment was assessed by means of visual observation in normal room light. Throughout the study period, the physical appearance of the ointment did not change. The chemical stability of the ointment was evaluated by means of a stability-indicating, thin-layer chromatography analytical technique. The shelf-life was found to be one month at 25 degrees C +/- 2 degrees C/60% RH and two months at 5 degrees C +/- 3 degrees C, when protected from light.