Constituent composition of the essential oils from some species of the genus Saussurea DCThe genus Saussurea DC is well known for its rich chemical composition and wide range of biological activities. Although content and biological effects of major chemical components are thoroughly studied, the composition and concentrations of minor constituents, such as essential oils, still remains unclear. In total, 62 different chemical compounds have been identified in the essential oils from S. controversa, S. latifolia, S. parviflora and S. salicifolia using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method. The essential oils include 1-5% of linalool, 2-7% of eudesmol and oxygen-containing sesquiterpenoids: 7 -25 % of caryophyllene oxide, 4 -5% of spathulenol, 4 -6% of humulene-6.7-oxide. The presence of sesquiterpenoids can be considered as a chemotaxonomic feature of the studied species of Saussurea DC. The essential oils can be candidates for new anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-tumor drugs due to relatively high concentration of caryophyllene oxide.
Rhaponticun carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin is a rare medicinal plant listed in the Red List of the Russian Federation. Spatial patterns of its reserves were studied for the monitoring and protection of wild populations at the Kuznetsk Alatau. The dependence of population abundance on environmental factors was revealed by geobotanical profiles. We derived the equation of nonlinear regression for rapid method of determining the weight of subsurface parts by counting the number of shoots. To assess rapidly and monitor the natural reserves we developed a mathematical model describing the abundance of R. carthamoides and its habitat altitude.
Wild medicinal plants often become the source of advanced materials for the manufacture of effective medicines. The long-term use of their natural resources depends on observance of biologically based rules, i.e. the annual possible volume of harvesting. The paper aims to estimate the reserves of subsurface parts of the valuable medicinal plant Rhaponticum carthamoides in the Kuznetsk Alatau (Siberia, Russia). We set 31 resource profiles with total length of 41895 m in key areas and mapped locations of plant communities with R. carthamoides. Based on data in 2000 calculating plots we defined the average number of shoots per 1 m2 in the phytocenoses with great abundance of this species and estimated the average weight of subsurface parts per shoot in 43 special key plots. Predictable exploitable reserves of R. carthamoides in the Kuznetsk Alatau amount 202 t with 6.73 t of annual possible volume of harvesting. The demand for raw materials of this species can be satisfied by natural resources but only if harvesting is held in a sustainable manner observing also the rules of collection on the population level.
Russia is one of the leading exporters of wild medicinal plants in Europe, and the Altai Mountains are the main harvest areas. The conservation strategy includes both the exploitation of wild populations and the cultivation of medicinal plants. To avoid over-harvesting of medicinal plants in nature it is essential to observe the mode of sustainable use. The paper aims to analyse data on resources of 91 medicinal plant species in the Altai Mountains. Exploitable reserves, annual possible volume of harvesting and harvesting periodicity are given for 34 commercial species. We compared data on dynamics of harvestings and exploitable reserves for brand species with subsurface parts used. The Altai Mountains has great potential as a resource region of medicinal plants. Commercial harvesters apparently ignore the mode of sustainable use. The question needs further research and effective enforcement of the legal framework.
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