Biochemical rationale for the use of Angelica archangelica L. in the monastery

Abstract

Angelica (s. Angelica) Medicinal Angelica archangelica - medicinal and spicy flavoring plant grown for centuries in the gardens of the Orthodox and Catholic monasteries. In the Middle Ages angelica regarded as a universal antidote and a cure. Experiences of our ancestors showed the effectiveness of this plant for the treatment of infectious diseases, gynecological, gastrointestinal, and other diseases. However, the composition of the plant is poorly understood. With this in mind, we carried out the identification of the components of essential oils and alcoholic extracts of roots and leaves of angelica by gas chromatography using a gas chromatography-mass spectrometer Thermo Finnigan. The total content of coumarins in angelica root was 1,09 %. Coumarin compounds (derivatives imperatorin, etc.) were identified in leaf extract. The roots contain angelicin, methoxsalen, bergapten, osthol and oroselone with antiviral and antitumor activity. The high content of coumarin and more diverse range of it in the leaves of A. archangelica angelica raw materials can be considered as a promising source of coumarin compounds with antiviral, antiplatelet and antiischemic activity. In the essential oil of angelica cyclohexane sesquiterpenoids (beta-elemene and elemol), considered as potential anticancer agents in diseases of the brain and lungs were found.