Title : Determination of Rumex crispus seeds and root extracts by using modern methods of analyses
Abstract:
Background:
Rumex crispus is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Armenia and used traditionally for the treatment of various ailments including infections, digestive disorders, and internal bleeding. Despite its widespread ethnomedicinal use, scientific validation of its bioactive compounds remains limited. Investigating the chemical constituents of different plant parts using modern analytical methods is essential to support its therapeutic claims and ensure safe usage.
Objective:
This study aimed to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of organic compounds present in the seed and root extracts of Rumex crispus using modern physicochemical analysis methods.
Methods:
Fatty oils were extracted from seeds via Soxhlet extraction using methylene chloride. These were hydrolyzed and converted to ethyl esters for analysis using gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Ethanol extracts of roots were analyzed using column chromatography, and the isolated compounds were characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Comparative chromatographic profiles were obtained for seeds, roots, stems, and leaves.
Results:
Ten fatty acids were identified in seed extracts, with cis- and trans-oleic acids being predominant due to their antioxidant properties. Ten additional organic compounds were isolated from seeds, among which ethyl iso-allocholate demonstrated potential antibacterial activity. From the ethanol extract of roots, three pure crystalline compounds—cyclopentyl mercaptan, 3-allyloxy-1,2-propane diol, and N,N-hexamethylene bis tributylammonium hydroxide—were isolated and structurally characterized. Chromatographic analysis confirmed that these compounds were absent in leaves and stems, suggesting organ-specific distribution of bioactives.
Conclusion:
The study successfully demonstrated the use of modern analytical techniques to isolate and identify biologically significant compounds from Rumex crispus. The presence of potent fatty acids and antibacterial agents validates its traditional use and supports further pharmacological evaluation. The absence of certain compounds in edible parts (leaves and stems) suggests the plant's safety for food applications.
Keywords: Rumex crispus, fatty acids, ethanol extract, column chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, traditional medicine
