Phthalides in Roots of Opopanax chironium

In petroleum ether and diethyl ether extracts from roots of Opopanax chironium (L.) Koch five phthalides were identified: Z-butylidenephthalide, butylphthalide, cnidilide, Z-ligustilide and senkyunolide. The compounds were analyzed by TLC, GLC and GC-MS.

[Chemical composition of the essential oil from melissa]

Different oil-samples of Melissa officinalis L. were analysed by capillary GC/MS, using fused silica columns and E.I.-Mass-spectrometry. Comparing the observed mass-spectra with those of a spectral collection, 70 compounds of the oil were identified. Geranial, neral, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, citronellal, geranyl-acetate, beta-caryophyllene, and beta-caryophyllene-oxide comprise about 96%. The fingerprint of the capillary gas-chromatogramm permitted differentiation of the essential oil of Melissa officinalis, Cymbopogon winterianus and Nepeta cataria var. citriodora., as well as a standardisation of pharmaceutical preparations containing Melissa oil.

Composition of essential oils of Laurus nobilis, L. nobilis var. angustifolia and Laurus azorica

The essential oils of Laurus nobilis, L. nobilis var. angustifolia and L. azorica were investigated by means of GLC, IR, PMR, CMR and GC-MS. The composition of the oils of the first two mentioned species was about the same with as main constituent 1,8-cineole, whereas the oil of L. azorica was different with low content of 1,8-cineole (10% vice 40-50%), absence of spathulenol, high content of alpha- and beta-pinene and presence of alpha-copaene, cinnamyl acetate, allo-aromadendrene, beta-eudesmol, beta-caryophyllene oxide and 1 (12), 8 (15)-caryophylladiene-9alpha-ol. About 50 components were tentatively identified.

Composition of essential oils of some senecio species

The composition of the essential oils of Senecio vulgaris, S. jacobaea, S. congestus and S. fuchsii was investigated by means of GLC, CC and GC-MS. The principal constituents differ; S. congestus: 1-tridecene and 1-undecene, S. jacobaea: germacrene D and 1-undecene, S. vulgaris: beta-caryophyllene, alpha-copaene and myrcene, S. fuchsii: anhydro-oplopanone and an unknown sesquiterpene C (15)H (24). In all the oils anhydro-oplopanone is present. The spectra of this compound and of the synthesized anhydro-oplopanols are given.

Composition of essential oil of Ledum palustre

The composition of essential oil of Ledum palustre L. was investigated. This oil was obtained by steam distillation of leaf material from plants growing in the Hortus Botanicus at Haren (Groningen). It was separated into seventeen fractions by column chromatography on silicagel and gradient elution with mixtures of petrol (bpt. < 40 degrees C) and diethylether. The investigation was made by GLC and GC-MS. In total, 80 components were identified. About 50 constituents were new, including vitispirane, perillaalcohol, perilla-aldehyde, isopinocamphone, germacrone, etc. Principal components are ledol, palustrol and myrtenal.

[Epidemiological aspects of Uncinaria stenocephala infections in the Netherlands (author's transl)]

A series of experimental infections in a total number of twenty-two dogs showed that transmission of the parasite Uncinaria stenocephala from one dog to another is readily achieved by oral route. Cutaneous infection was only successful when large doses were used. From the topographical distribution of some intestinal U. stenocephala worm populations in dogs it was concluded that the hookworm population is concentrated in the proximal part of the ileum. The expulsion of worms observed may be evidence of the size or persistence of the worm population. The prepatent period was found to be (at least) thirteen days, both in dogs and in foxes. Daily worm-egg counts showed a fluctuating rhythm, particularly during the first 2-3 weeks of the patent period. Relatively high peaks were also recorded in some cases. The maximum number of worms eggs was estimated at well over 5,000 eggs per female U. stenocephala worm (in dogs). U. stenocephala eggs and larvae are capable of surviving at low temperatures. U. stenocephala infection was found to be present in twenty-five (86 per cent) out of twenty-nine foxes obtained and examined in 1975, the worm load varying from one to 176 hookworms and averaging thirty worms per fox. From the preliminary results of a number of experimental transmissions it was concluded that foxes and dogs harbour adapted strains of U. stenocephala, which prevents cross infections between these reservoirs from occurring to more than a limited extent.