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Planta Med 2014; 80(15): 1321-1328
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1383039
Analytical Studies
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Extracts from Rhododendron ferrugineum Do Not Exhibit Grayanotoxin I: An Analytical Survey on Grayanotoxin I within the Genus Rhododendron

Matthias Lechtenberg   *
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Frauke Dierks   *
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Jandirk Sendker
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Andrea Louis
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
,
Hartwig Schepker
2   Stiftung Bremer Rhododendronpark, Bremen, Germany
,
Andreas Hensel
1   Institute of Pharmaceutical Biology and Phytochemistry, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 08 April 2014
revised 22 July 2014

accepted 04 August 2014

Publication Date:
12 September 2014 (online)

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Abstract

For quantitative determination of grayanotoxin I (1) in plant material, a GC/MS method was developed after trimethylsilyl derivatisation of the analytes. Forskolin (5) was used as an internal standard for quantification. ICH-compliant method validation indicated sufficient specificity, precision, quantitation (15 µg/mL) and detection (5 µg/mL) limits. Regression analysis showed that a non-linear (polynomial) model was preferable to a linear one. For isolation of grayanotoxin I reference material from Rhododendron ponticum leaves, an efficient two-step fast centrifugal partition chromatography isolation protocol is described. A survey of 17 different plant species from the genus Rhododendron revealed high grayanotoxin I content for R. catawbiense, R. ponticum, R. degronianum subsp. yakushimanum, R. × sochadzeae, R. moupinense, R. galactinum, and R. mucronatum var. ripense. The content of this compound in leaf material from R. ponticum decreased rapidly during drying process. Grayanotoxin I was not detected in different batches of fresh leaves and fruits from R. ferrugineum. In contrast to the claims of German health authorities, this traditionally used herb therefore cannot be evaluated as toxic due to the presence of grayanotoxin I.

Key words

Rhododendron ferrugineum - Rhododendron - Andromeda - Kalmia - Ericaceae - grayanotoxin - GC-MS

* Both authors contributed equally to this work.


 

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