Research in component composition of essential oils from various organs of Silphium perfoliatum L.

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4852.2026.352599

Keywords:

Silphium perfoliatum L., Asteraceae, essential oil, component composition, GC/MS

Abstract

Silphium perfoliatum L. (cup plant) is a perennial member of the Asteraceae family indigenous to eastern North America. Its phytochemical profile and biological properties have not yet been comprehensively characterised, and the species is not included in official medical practice. Nevertheless, ethnobotanical records indicate that Indigenous communities of North America traditionally used this plant to alleviate conditions such as neuralgia, respiratory ailments, and rheumatic disorders.

The aim. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the qualitative and quantitative composition of essential oils isolated from different organs of S. perfoliatum L. to identify organ-dependent variations and expand current knowledge on the phytochemical profile of this species.

Materials and methods. The plant materials of S. perfoliatum used in this study were collected in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine. Hydrodistillates obtained from dried various organs of S. perfoliatum L. according to the methods of the European Pharmacopoeia were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometric detection (GC–MS) using an Agilent 6890/5973 GC–MS system operated with ChemStation software for mass- selective detectors (MSD). Agilent HP-5MSI capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d., film thickness 0.25 µm) were used.

Research results. The yields of essential oils (EOs) in S. perfoliatum L. organs ranged from 2.66 to 5.46 mL/kg. In total, 84 volatile compounds were identified in the raw materials, including monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, aldehydes, and other aroma compounds. Sesquiterpenes were the dominant class in all samples (60.44–77.53%). Caryophyllene oxide, germacrene-type alcohols, and caryophyllene prevailed in the aerial parts, whereas root distillates were characterised by silphiperfol derivatives such as silphiperfol-5-ene and presilphiperfol-7-ene. Monoterpenes were most abundant in flowers (23.60%), with α-pinene and camphene as key constituents, while roots contained negligible amounts. Diterpenes, mainly phytol, were detected predominantly in leaves, highlighting organ-specific differences in volatile biosynthesis. A comparative analysis of leaf essential oils collected in 2023 and 2024 demonstrated qualitative stability with quantitative variation. Sesquiterpenes remained dominant in both years (67.19% in 2023; 60.51% in 2024). Caryophyllene oxide and germacrene-type alcohols were major constituents in both samples, though phytol content increased markedly in 2024 (16.54% vs 5.46%). In contrast, 2023 samples showed higher levels of monoterpenes (7.97% vs 5.88%) and aldehydes (7.72% vs 4.36%), indicating seasonal shifts in volatile composition.

Conclusions. This research elucidates the volatile profiles of S. perfoliatum from different organs and harvest years, demonstrating clear organ-related and interannual variability. The content of volatile fractions varied from 2.66 to 5.46 mL/kg, depending on the plant organs. A total of 84 volatile compounds were identified, with sesquiterpenes representing the dominant class in all samples (60.44–77.53%). Aerial parts were enriched in oxygenated sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene oxide and germacrene-derived alcohols, whereas roots showed a distinct chemotype dominated by silphiperfol-type hydrocarbons. Monoterpenes were most abundant in the flowers (23.60%), with α-pinene, camphene, and oxygenated monoterpenes contributing substantially to the volatile profile, while their content in roots was negligible. Overall, these results broaden current understanding of the phytochemical diversity of S. perfoliatum and support further investigation of its essential oils for potential biological and applied uses

Supporting Agency

  • European Union in the MSCA4Ukraine project “Design and development of 3D-printed medicines for bioactive materials of Ukrainian and Estonian medicinal plants origin” [ID number 1232466]

Author Biographies

Ain Raal, University of Tartu

PhD, Professor

Institute of Pharmacy

Liubomyr Lytvynets, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University

Assistant

Department of Pharmaceutical Management, Drug Technology and Pharmacognosy

Andriy Grytsyk, Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University

Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor, Head of Department

Department of Pharmaceutical Management, Drug Technology and Pharmacognosy

Ivan Bilai, Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor, Head of Department

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

Educational and Scientific Institute of Postgraduate Education

Oleh Koshovyi, University of Tartu; Zaporizhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Doctor of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Professor

Institute of Pharmacy

Professor

Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacotherapy, Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry

References

  1. Britton, N. L., Brown, A. (1913) An illustrated flora of the northern United States, Canada and the British possessions : from Newfoundland to the parallel of the southern boundary of Virginia, and from the Atlantic Ocean westward to the 102d meridian. New York . https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.940
  2. Silphium perfoliatum. Flora of North America. Available at: http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=1&taxon_id=242417268
  3. Albrecht, K. A., Goldstein, W. (1997). Silphium perfoliatum: A North American Prairie Plant with Potential as a Forage Crop. The XVIII International Grassland Congress. Winnipeg.
  4. Silphium perfoliatum. Royal Botanic Gardens. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:236461-2
  5. Ende, L. M., Knöllinger, K., Keil, M., Fiedler, A. J., Lauerer, M. (2021). Possibly Invasive New Bioenergy Crop Silphium perfoliatum: Growth and Reproduction Are Promoted in Moist Soil. Agriculture, 11 (1), 24. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11010024
  6. Kowalski, R., Wolski, T. (2003). Evaluation of phenolic acid content in Silphium perfoliatum L. leaves, inflorescences and rhizomes. Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities, 6 (1).
  7. Kowalski, R., Wolski, T. (2005). The chemical composition of essential oils of Silphium perfoliatum L. Flavour and Fragrance Journal, 20 (3), 306–310. https://doi.org/10.1002/ffj.1418
  8. Kowalski, R., Wierciński, J., Mardarowicz, M. (2005). Essential Oil in Leaves and Inflorescences ofSilphium integrifoliumMichx. Journal of Essential Oil Research, 17 (2), 220–222. https://doi.org/10.1080/10412905.2005.9698881
  9. Williams, J. D., Wojcińska, M., Calabria, L. M., Linse, K., Clevinger, J. A., Mabry, T. J. (2009). The Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids of the Genus Silphium and Their Chemosystematic Value. Natural Product Communications, 4 (3). https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578x0900400325
  10. Gilmore, M. R. (1919). Uses of plants by the Indians of the Missouri River region. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press. https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.32507
  11. Kowalski, R., Kędzia, B. (2007). Antibacterial Activity ofSilphium perfoliatum. Extracts. Pharmaceutical Biology, 45 (6), 494–500. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200701389409
  12. Zhang, G., Jia, W., Liu, L., Wang, L., Xu, J., Tao, J. et al. (2025). Caffeoylquinic acids from Silphium perfoliatum L. show hepatoprotective effects on cholestatic mice by regulating enterohepatic circulation of bile acids. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 337, 118870. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118870
  13. Xu, J., Jia, W., Zhang, G., Liu, L., Wang, L., Wu, D. et al. (2024). Extract of Silphium perfoliatum L. improve lipid accumulation in NAFLD mice by regulating AMPK/FXR signaling pathway. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 327, 118054. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118054
  14. Dobrochaeva, D. N., Kotov, M. Y., Prokudyn, Yu. N., Barbarych, A. Y. (1999). Opredelytel vysshykh rastenyi Ukrayny. Kyiv: Naukova Dumka.
  15. EMEA/HMPC/246816/2005. Guideline on Good Agricultural and Collection Practice (GACP) for Starting Materials of Herbal Origin (2006). European Medicines Agency.
  16. European Pharmacopoeia (2022). Strasbourg: Council of Europe.
  17. Raal, A., Ilina, T., Kovalyova, A., Koshovyi, O. (2024). Volatile compounds in distillates and hexane extracts from the flowers of Philadelphus coronarius and Jasminum officinale. ScienceRise: Pharmaceutical Science, 6 (52), 37–46. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4852.2024.318497
  18. Raal, A., Dolgošev, G., Ilina, T., Kovalyova, A., Lepiku, M., Grytsyk, A., Koshovyi, O. (2025). The Essential Oil Composition in Commercial Samples of Verbena officinalis L. Herb from Different Origins. Crops, 5 (2), 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5020016
  19. Raal, A., Liira, J., Lepiku, M., Ilina, T., Kovalyova, A., Strukov, P. et al. (2025). The Composition of Essential Oils and the Content of Saponins in Different Parts of Gilia capitata Sims. Crops, 5 (3), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/crops5030033
  20. Hrytsyk, Y., Koshovyi, O., Lepiku, M., Jakštas, V., Žvikas, V., Matus, T. et al. (2024). Phytochemical and Pharmacological Research in Galenic Remedies of Solidago canadensis L. Herb. Phyton, 93 (9), 2303–2315. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2024.055117
  21. Raal, A., Komarov, R., Orav, A., Kapp, K., Grytsyk, A., Koshovyi, O. (2022). Chemical composition of essential oil of common juniper (Juniperus communis L.) branches from Estonia. ScienceRise: Pharmaceutical Science, 6 (40), 66–73. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4852.2022.271048
  22. Sepp, J., Koshovyi, O., Jakštas, V., Žvikas, V., Botsula, I., Kireyev, I. et al. (2024). Phytochemical, Pharmacological, and Molecular Docking Study of Dry Extracts of Matricaria discoidea DC. with Analgesic and Soporific Activities. Biomolecules, 14 (3), 361. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14030361
  23. Francomano, F., Caruso, A., Barbarossa, A., Fazio, A., La Torre, C., Ceramella, J. et al. (2019). β-Caryophyllene: A Sesquiterpene with Countless Biological Properties. Applied Sciences, 9 (24), 5420. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9245420
  24. Baradaran Rahimi, V., Askari, V. R. (2022). A mechanistic review on immunomodulatory effects of selective type two cannabinoid receptor β‐caryophyllene. BioFactors, 48 (4), 857–882. https://doi.org/10.1002/biof.1869
  25. Baradaran Rahimi, V., Memarzia, A., Askari, V. R. (2023). Antiinflammatory and antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects of phytocannabinoid β-caryophyllene: A mechanistic review. Medicinal Usage of Cannabis and Cannabinoids. Elsevier, 349–359. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-323-90036-2.00010-7
  26. Salehi, B., Upadhyay, S., Erdogan Orhan, I., Kumar Jugran, A., L. D. Jayaweera, S., A. Dias, D. et al. (2019). Therapeutic Potential of α- and β-Pinene: A Miracle Gift of Nature. Biomolecules, 9 (11), 738. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom9110738
  27. Zielińska-Błajet, M., Feder-Kubis, J. (2020). Monoterpenes and Their Derivatives – Recent Development in Biological and Medical Applications. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21 (19), 7078. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21197078
  28. Cheekatla, S. R. (2024). Triquinane based natural products via cycloadditions and metathesis. Tetrahedron Chem, 12, 100103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tchem.2024.100103
  29. Qiu, Y., Lan, W.-J., Li, H.-J., Chen, L.-P. (2018). Linear Triquinane Sesquiterpenoids: Their Isolation, Structures, Biological Activities, and Chemical Synthesis. Molecules, 23 (9), 2095. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules23092095
Research in component composition of essential oils from various organs of Silphium perfoliatum L.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-28

How to Cite

Raal, A., Lytvynets, L., Grytsyk, A., Bilai, I., & Koshovyi, O. (2026). Research in component composition of essential oils from various organs of Silphium perfoliatum L. ScienceRise: Pharmaceutical Science, (1 (59), 22–30. https://doi.org/10.15587/2519-4852.2026.352599

Issue

No. 1 (59) (2026)

Section

Pharmaceutical Science

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Raal Ain, Liubomyr Lytvynets, Andriy Grytsyk, Ivan Bilai, Oleh Koshovyi

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Our journal abides by the Creative Commons CC BY copyright rights and permissions for open access journals.