Phytochemical analysis of Pfaffia glomerata inflorescences by LC-ESI-MS/MS.

Pfaffia glomerata contains high levels of ß-ecdysone, which has shown a range of beneficial pharmacological effects. The present study demonstrated that inflorescences of P. glomerata contain other important bioactive compounds in addition to ß-ecdysone. The identification of compounds from inflorescences using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) was performed for the first time. The eight compounds identified were ß-ecdysone, flavonoid glycosides such as quercetin-3-O-glucoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside and kaempferol-3-O-(6-p-coumaroyl)-glucoside, oleanane-type triterpenoid saponins such as ginsenoside Ro and chikusetsusaponin IV, in addition to oleanonic acid and gluconic acid. This study provided information on the phytochemicals contained in P. glomerata inflorescences revealing the potential application of this plant part as raw material for the phytotherapeutic and cosmetic industries.

Quantification of β-ecdysone in differents parts of Pfaffia glomerata by HPLC

Pfaffia glomerata (Spreng.) Pedersen, Amaranthaceae, is widely distributed in Brazil. Roots are considered as the world's greatest supplier and β-ecdysone is the most important compound extracted from roots of Pfaffia glomerata. So, the aim this study was analyze the presence of β-ecdysone in the inflorescences and stems and compared with the content from roots of Pfaffia glomerata and determine the best extractive method of β-ecdysone this plant. The crude extracts were obtained by Soxhlet method, reflux, maceration, percolation and turbolyse. Compound extracts were quantified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The analysis were carried out a Phenomenex Column C18, 5 µm, 250x4,6mm, maintened at 30 ºC, gradient system using as mobile phase a mixture of methanol and water, flow rate 1,0 mL and detection at 245 nm. Results showed Soxhlet method with ethanol:water (90:10 v/v) presented the higher concentration of β-ecdysone in P. glomerata and inflorescences showed higher amount of this active substance (3,06%), compared with stems (2,37%) and roots (1,63%), showing that the inflorescences and plant stems may also be used as a rich source of β-ecdysone.