Khimiy R.M., Oproshanska T.V., Khvorost O.P.

National Pharmacology University, Kharkiv city, Ukraine

Study of Fatty Acids Composition in Common Cocklebur raw material

Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium ); Clotbur, burweed , Woolgarie Bur – is an annual grassy rough grayish -green plant with unpleasant smell belonging to the Asteraceae family (composite family). Cocklebur genus has 3 to 25 species (there are 70 species named in the book “Flora of USSR”). The most widely spread are Siberian Cocklebur (Xanthium sibiricum ); spiny cocklebur (Xanthium spinosum); Common Cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium ). It grows as a wild plant in Europe, North America, moderate regions of Asia. It expanded on the territory of Africa, Australia, Oceania and South America. Common Cocklebur grows all over Ukraine on the littered areas, fields, gardens, on wet sandy soil along river and drain bands, near fences, roads, waste landfills. [2,3,6]

Stem of the plant is upright, 30-120 cm tall, branched, brown, glandular. It's leaves are alternate, stalked, rounded-triangular or ovoid, heart-shaped at the base, often 3-7- vane, edge of leaf plates are toothed. Flowers are tubular, small, greenish, unisexual (plants are monogamous), assembled in heads that are located at axils in bundles; heads with stamen flowers are multi-flowered encircled by cover from identical ununited leaves, and heads with carpel flowers are two-flowered, their cover accreted. Fruit covers are grayish -green, oval at the base and narrowed to the top, 10-25 mm long and 5-12 mm tall, with two straight scattered or connivent spines, covered with thorns that don't reach the top of the cover. It's fruit is an achene. Coriaceous inflorescence of the Cocklebur consists of two achenes. During an experiment dry achenes absorb moisture with a strength of about 1000 atmospheres [2,3,5].

Chemical composition hasn't been studied enough. Leaves contain comparatively a lot of iodine, alkaloids and vitamin C (about 31.8 mg ). Seeds contain fatty oil, resins, glycoside xanthostrumarin and iodine [4,5,6].

Tops of the blooming plant, fruits, seeds and root are used for healing purpose [2,6]. Tops with leaves (15-20cm) are procured at the period of mass blossoming, fruits and seeds are procured as they ripe, root is procured in autumn.

In Rumania this plant is officinal and on it's basis herbal medicinal product Adenostop for enuresis and prostate adenoma treatment is made. Because of high content of iodine the plant facilitates thyroid decrease and may be used for goiter especially in endemic regions ( Transbaikalia, West Ukraine, Caucasus). It reveals antiseptic, fungicidal, anti-inflammatory, mild analgetic, sudorific, antithermic and diuretic activity. During the experiment two-percent aqueous infusion of Cocklebur fruits has shown diuretic action [4,6,7]. In Ukraine the plant is unofficinal, therefore it is used in alternative medicine only.

Juice of the fresh grass is used for throat closing, angina treatment, bronchial asthma, pharyngeal abscess, goiter, hemorrhoid, dermatitis and lichen. Decoctions and infusions of this plant are used for rheumatism, overcooling and as a depressant drug. Extract received by gradual evaporation of leaves aqueous decoction is prescribed for leprosy patients treatment. In experiments on animals Cocklebur infusions facilitates male genitals [2, 3, 5, 6].

Seeds and root decoction is used by people in cases of bladder and kidneys diseases such as nephritis, pyelonephritis, urinary tract inflammation, and all of the plant is used in tea for different cancer diseases. Fruits (seeds) and root decoction, as well as decoction of the whole plant, is used for diarrhea and dysentery. Cocklebur fruits and leaves are also used for paralysis treatment [5, 6, 7, 8].

Cocklebur aqueous solutions are used externally in case of rash and fungus infections. Ointment made of Common Cocklebur root, fruits and seeds is used externally for eczema and dermatitis. Common Cocklebur is also used in homeopathy [4,6,8].

It's important to know that Common Cocklebur is a toxic plant which is why it should be used with extra carefulness. Strong decoction and juice of the plant may cause burns. Ingestion of drugs made of this plant may provoke gastric ulcer exacerbation. Cocklebur is not used during pregnancy ( it boosts myometrial tone and has an abortifacient effect) [3,5].

This plant is used as an anthelmintic in veterinary. Unrefined fatty oil of Cocklebur seeds is used industrially for linseed oil production. Refined oil is toothsome and may be used in food industry. Common Cocklebur leaves and root contain yellow colorant and may be used for fabric dyeing. [6].

The aim of the study is to receive lipophilic complexes and to investigate qualitative composition and quantitative content of fatty acids in lipophilic complexes of Common Cocklebur leaves and stem.

Lipophilic complexes were obtained by primary product maceration in chloroform at the temperature of 60-70 Celsius degrees, with overall ratio of primary product and extractant being 1 to 15, amount of extraction stages being three. Chloroform extract was evaporated in vacuum till extractant removed with following elimination of moisture remains using anhydrous sodium sulfate.

The determination of qualitative composition and quantitative content of fatty acids in the form of methyl esters gained by direct methylation of lipophilic complexes were made on chromatograph “Chrome -5” by GС method. Methyl esters of fatty acids identification was carried out by comparing their withdrawal time to withdrawal time of methyl esters of fatty acids standard samples. Quantitative analysis was conducted by the method of absolute calibration of each of fatty acids separately and their mixtures with calibration curves constructions which help to determine concentration of each fatty acid in the sample [1].

Lipophilic complexes extract from leaves and stem was 8.5% and 2.3% accordingly. As a result of investigation 7 fatty acids were identified in lipophilic complexes of Common Cocklebur leaves and stem: lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids and their quantitative content was determined. In lipophilic complexes of Common Cocklebur leaves and stem content of unsaturated fatty acids dominated (the content of this composite group was accordingly 67.2% and 78.68% out of fatty acids total). Palmitic acid content dominated among saturated fatty acids in lipophilic complexes, and amounted to 24.13% (for leaves) and 17.2% (for stem) out of fatty acids total. Linolenic acid content dominated among unsaturated fatty acids, and amounted to 43.99% out of fatty acids total for lipophilic complexes of leaves and 44.28% out of fatty acids total for lipophilic complexes of Common Cocklebur stem. Among fatty acids that were identified the lowest content is characteristic for lauric acid which was less than 1 % out of fatty acids total.

The data received will be used for future research and applied in prospect of new medical drugs based on lipophilic complexes of Common Cocklebur leaves and stem creation.