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Planta Med 2013; 79(14): 1370-1379
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1350618
Analytical Studies
Original Papers
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Targeted and Untargeted Phytochemistry of Ligusticum canbyi: Indoleamines, Phthalides, Antioxidant Potential, and Use of Metabolomics as a Hypothesis-Generating Technique for Compound Discovery

Christina E. Turi
1   Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
,
Susan J. Murch
2   Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 10 February 2013
revised 24 April 2013

accepted 25 June 2013

Publication Date:
22 July 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Ligusticum canbyi (J.M. Coult & Rose) is a medicinal understory forest species used in traditional rituals and ceremonies for spiritual enlightenment and improved mental health. Very little is known about the phytochemical complexity or diversity of L. canbyi tissues or extracts. The current study was undertaken to determine whether Ligusticum tissues and extracts contain specifically targeted biologically active phytochemicals such as: melatonin, serotonin, Z-ligustilide, E-3-butylidenephthalide, and ferulic acid and to investigate the untargeted phytochemical complexity of the entire L. canbyi metabolome. The results of these studies identified melatonin and serotonin in roots and shoots of L. canbyi and L. porteri. Z-ligustilide, E-butylidenephthalide, and ferulic acid were quantified in roots and shoots of L. canbyi. Metabolomic analysis detected approximately 34,000 compounds in each L. canbyi extract, and predictive analysis suggests the presence of more than 70 putative phthalide metabolites. The relative contribution of the known metabolites and the unknown markers to the antioxidant potential of root and shoot tissues were compared, and it was determined that the majority of the antioxidant capacity could be attributed to ferulic acid in the tissues. These data provide new understandings of the phytomedicinal composition and potential mechanisms of activity of L. canbyi extracts and tissues.

Key words

Ligusticum canbyi - Apiaceae - melatonin - serotonin - ferulic acid - antioxidant potential - metabolomics

Supporting Information

 

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