Variations in Essential Oils from South Siberian Conifers of the Pinaceae Family: New Data towards Identification and Quality Control

Abstract

Conifer essential oils have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and nowadays they are of special interest for official medicine, aromatherapy and perfumery. In the present work, comprehensive information is given on the composition of essential oils prepared from the twigs of the conifer trees of the pine family (Pinaceae): Abies sibirica Ledeb., Larix sibirica Ledeb., Picea obovata Ledeb., Pinus sibirica Du Tour, Pinus sylvestris L. A total of 50 samples of essential oils have been studied. The samples were prepared during vegetation stage in the time period 1998–2012 from the growing wild trees in the South part of the Western Siberia (Russian Federation) and neighboring territories of Republic of Kazakhstan within the area with geographical coordinates LAT 49.180012–57.908583 and LON 83.213217–91.258717 at elevation of 82–2070 m above sea level. All the essential oil samples were obtained from freshly collected plant raw material by steam distillation at atmospheric pressure in stainless steel apparatus, which had been specially designed for field research. All the chromatographic profiles were prepared from authentic samples whose voucher specimens are deposited at the Central Siberian Botanical Garden of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (NS). The following information for each sample is provided: (1) date and location of the plant raw material collecting, indicating administrative areas and the exact geographic coordinates; (2) yield of essential oil, (3) chemical composition of the essential oil sample based on GC/MS experiments using full mass‐spectra (EI, 70 eV) and linear retention indices of the components, (4) results of GC‐FID quantification based on internal standards and response factors, (5) enantiomeric composition of the main components based on GC×GC experiments using the 2nd column with cyclodextrin‐based chiral selector, (6) GC profile of the high‐boiling fractions indicating the characteristic sesquiterpenoids. Therefore, this study provides reliable information about the variability and true composition of the Siberian conifer oils, and the experimental data given can serve as reference chromatographic profiles of volatile substances to solve the problems of quality, authenticity and safety.

Topical Application of Siberian Pine Essential Oil Formulations Enhance Diabetic Wound Healing

“…The quantity of chemical components of essential oil depends on various factors such as the part and health of the tree, needle maturity, season, and geographic location [14]. It has been known that monoterpenoids present the main ingredients of PSEO (68% from leaves and 78% from cones) [17]. On the other hand, the percentage of sesquiterpenoid components of the essential oil is 5-10% [31].…”

“…In traditional medicine, various parts of this plant were used for treating numerous diseases such as arthritis, rheumatism, and liver and kidney disorders due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antibacterial properties [14][15][16]. Nowadays, this plant plays a great role in the perfume, aromatherapy, and cosmetic industry [17]. Phytochemical studies of P. sibirica oil essential oil (PSEO) revealed that the most abundant compounds are monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-phellandrene, and δ-3-caren) and sesquiterpenes (β-bisabolene, β-humulene, and γ-muurolene) [14][15][16][17][18].…”

“…Nowadays, this plant plays a great role in the perfume, aromatherapy, and cosmetic industry [17]. Phytochemical studies of P. sibirica oil essential oil (PSEO) revealed that the most abundant compounds are monoterpenes (α-pinene, β-phellandrene, and δ-3-caren) and sesquiterpenes (β-bisabolene, β-humulene, and γ-muurolene) [14][15][16][17][18]. The above-mentioned monoterpenes applied alone showed extraordinary effects on wound healing by accelerating wound closure and increasing collagen deposition [19].…”