GC–MS analysis of essential oil from the leaves of Algerian <i>Bupleurum plantagineum</i> Desf.

Abstract

<i>Bupleurum plantagineum</i> Desf. (Apiaceae) is a plant endemic to North Africa, including Algeria. It is used as natural medicine, due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties. In this work, we studied the chemical composition of the essential oil (EO) obtained by hydro-distillation from <i>B. plantagineum</i> leaves collected from the national park of Gouraya (Bejaïa), Algeria. Thirty components were identified in the EO by Gas chromatography-Mass Spectrometry(GC-MS) (relative abundance: 96.7%). Monoterpene hydrocarbons (56.8%) were the predominant, followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (36.7%). The main components were <i>cis</i>-chrysanthenyl acetate (33.5%), α-pinene (18.4%), myrcene (16.5%) and (<i>E</i>)-anethole (4.9%). This volatile profile differs from those reported for other <i>Bupleurum</i> spp. and for <i>B. plantagineum</i> from Algeria, suggesting the identification of a new chemotype. Overall, our results represent a contribution to the characterisation of natural products from Algeria and the preservation of its natural biodiversity. The same results will also represent a starting point for further studies on <i>B. plantagineum</i>.