Analysis of aroma-active compounds in three sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) cultivars by GC-olfactometry and GC-MS.

OBJECTIVE: Aroma is the core factor in aromatherapy. Sensory evaluation of aromas differed among three sweet osmanthus (Osmanthus fragrans) cultivar groups. The purpose of this study was to investigate the aroma-active compounds responsible for these differences. METHODS: Gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to analyze the aroma-active compounds and volatiles of creamy-white ('Houban Yingui', HBYG), yellow ('Liuye Jingui', LYJG), and orange ('Gecheng Dangui', GCDG) cultivars. RESULTS: Seventeen aroma-active compounds were detected among 54 volatiles. trans-ß-Ocimene, trans-ß-ionone, and linalool, which were major volatiles, were identified as aroma-active, while cis-3-hexenyl butanoate, γ-terpinene, and hexyl butanoate were also aroma-active compounds, although their contents were low. Analysis of the odors was based on the sum of the modified frequency (MF) values of aroma-active compounds in different odor groups. HBYG contained more herb odors, contributed by cis-ß-ocimene and trans-ß-ocimene, while LYJG had more woody/violet/fruity odors released by trans-ß-ionone, α-ionone, and hexyl butanoate. In GCDG, the more floral odors were the result of cis-linalool oxide, trans-linalool oxide, and linalool. CONCLUSIONS: Aroma-active compounds were not necessarily only the major volatiles: some volatiles with low content also contributed to aroma. The aroma differences among the three cultivars resulted from variation in the content of different odor groups and in the intensities of aroma-active compounds.

[Clinical observation on acupuncture at pain point combined with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder].

OBJECTIVE: To find an effective therapy for periarthritis of shoulder. METHODS: Sixty cases were divided into two groups, 30 cases in each group. They were treated by acupuncture at pain point combined with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and routine acupuncture, respectively. Pain of the shoulder and movement functions of shoulder joints were used as indexes of therapeutic effects and their therapeutic effects were compared. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 90.0% in the routine group with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05); the cured rate in the two groups were 46.7% and 20.0% respectively with a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in improvement of movement function of shoulder joints and alleviation of pain (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture at pain points combined with moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) in increase of the cured rate and alleviation of pain, and improvement of movement function of shoulder joints is better than the routine acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of periarthritis of shoulder.