Combination of chromatographic and spectroscopic methods for the isolation and characterization of polar guaianolides from Achillea asiatica

Four polar guaianolides, 8α-angeloxy-2α,4α,10β-trihydroxy-6βH,7αH,11βH-1(5)-guaien-12,6α-olide; 8α-angeloxy-1β,2β:4β,5β-diepoxy-10β-hydroxy-6βH,7αH,11βH-12,6α-guaianolide; 8α-angeloxy-4α,10β-dihydroxy-2-oxo-6βH, 7αH, 11βH-1(5)-guaien-12,6α-olide and 8-desacetyl-matricarin, were isolated from Achillea asiatica and characterized by TLC, MS, IR, HPLC and diode array detection. Purified extracts were separated by means of flash chromatography. HPLC separations were achieved using different methanol–water gradients as mobile phase and LiChrospher 100-RP8 5 μm or Zorbax SB-C8 3.5 μm as stationary phases. The chromatographical data are compared to those of the proazulene 8α-tigloxy-artabsin which shows antiinflammatory effects. By means of these characteristics the identification of the guaianolides with potential antiphlogistic properties is also possible from other sources.