LEVELS OF URSOLIC ACID IN ARCTOUS ALPINUS
Ursolic acid is a pentacyclic triperpenoid extractable from plant materials; it accumulates in significant quantities in the plants of the family Ericaceae. Ursolic acid and its isomer oleanolic acid are recommended for the therapy and prevention of skin cancer in a number of countries. Ursolic acid and its derivatives were found to have broad-spectrum biological activity, such as anti-inflammatory, hypocholesterolic, anti-tumor, anti-atherosclerotic, and antimicrobial activities. The investigation determined the levels of ursolic acid in the above- and underground parts of Arctous alpinus [Arctousalpina (L.) Niedenzu, Ericaceas family), by using HPLC-MC/MC. Conditions for tandem mass spectrometric detection, by recording negative ions, were optimized. Chromatograms of extracts from natural compounds of each analyzed plant parts and reference aqueous ursolic acid solution were obtained. A calibration curve method was used for quantification. PLC-MM/MC determination revealed significant levels of ursolic acid in different parts of Arctous alpinus and its higher accumulation in the spring leaves, roots and fruits of the plant.