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Planta Med 2015; 81(12/13): 1190-1197
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1546126
Analytical Studies
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Quantification of Bufadienolides in Bryophyllum pinnatum Leaves and Manufactured Products by UHPLC-ESIMS/MS[*]

Mouhssin Oufir
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
,
Christina Seiler
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
,
Manon Gerodetti
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
,
Julia Gerber
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
,
Karin Fürer
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
2   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
,
Monica Mennet-von Eiff
3   Weleda AG, Arlesheim, Switzerland
,
Siegward-M. Elsas
4   Research Department, Klinik Arlesheim AG, Arlesheim, Switzerland
5   Department of Medicine, Chair for Theory of Medicine, Integrative and Anthroposophic Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
,
Rudolf Brenneisen
6   Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
,
Ursula von Mandach
2   Department of Obstetrics, University Hospital Zurich, Zürich, Switzerland
,
Matthias Hamburger
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
,
Olivier Potterat
1   Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Division of Pharmaceutical Biology, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 17 March 2015
revised 24 April 2015

accepted 28 April 2015

Publication Date:
01 July 2015 (online)

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Abstract

A quantitative assay for determination of the main bufadienolides bersaldegenin-1-acetate (1), bersaldegenin-3-acetate (2), bryophyllin A (3), and bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate (4) in Bryophyllum pinnatum leaves and manufactured products was developed and validated. The assay involved extraction by pressurised liquid extraction, followed by quantification by ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy. The ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy method was applied to various batches of leaves harvested on several dates from plants grown at two locations (Brazil and Germany). In addition, press juices prepared from plants cultivated in Germany and Brazil were analysed. The total bufadienolide content ranged from 16.28 to 40.50 mg/100 g dry weight in leaves from plants grown in Brazil. The total content of these four bufadienolides was significantly lower in plants cultivated in Germany (3.78–12.49 mg/100 g dry weight, resp.). The total amounts of bufadienolides were 0.091–0.163 mg/100 mL and 0.89–1.16 mg/100 mL in press juices obtained from plants cultivated in Germany and Brazil, respectively. When analysing single leaves from individual plants, the content of bufadienolides was markedly higher in young leaves. For comparative purposes, the content of these bufadienolides was also determined in Bryophyllum daigremontianum and Bryophyllum tubiflorum. Bersaldegenin-1,3,5-orthoacetate (4) was predominant in the leaves of B. daigremontianum and in the stems of B. tubiflorum, while the leaves of B. tubiflorum contained very low amounts of 1–4.

Key words

Bufadienolides - Bryophyllum pinnatum - Bryophyllum daigremontianum - Bryophyllum tubiflorum - Kalanchoe pinnata - Crassulaceae - UHPLC-MS/MS - quantification - MRM

* Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. Adolf Nahrstedt on the occasion of his 75th birthday.


Supporting Information

 

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