Extraction, Isolation, and Purification of Furanocoumarins from Invasive <i>Heracleum sosnowskyi</i>
<i>Heracleum sosnowskyi</i> Manden. (Sosnowsky’s hogweed), originally introduced to Central and Eastern Europe as a fodder crop, has become a highly invasive species due to its ecological adaptability, high reproductive capacity, and efficient seed dispersal. Despite its negative impact...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-07-01
|
| Series: | Separations |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2297-8739/12/7/175 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | <i>Heracleum sosnowskyi</i> Manden. (Sosnowsky’s hogweed), originally introduced to Central and Eastern Europe as a fodder crop, has become a highly invasive species due to its ecological adaptability, high reproductive capacity, and efficient seed dispersal. Despite its negative impact on native flora and its health risks to humans and animals, the species also represents a valuable source of biologically active compounds. In this study, we demonstrate that the leaves of <i>H. sosnowskyi</i> contain substantial amounts of furanocoumarins—phototoxic compounds with notable therapeutic potential, particularly as natural photosensitizers in anticancer therapies. To extract furanocoumarins from <i>H. sosnowskyi</i>, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was employed, with optimization of key parameters including extraction solvent (hexane), temperature (70 °C), extraction time (10 min), and solvent-to-solid ratio (20:1). Four major compounds—angelicin (2.3 mg/g), psoralen (0.15 mg/g), methoxsalen (0.76 mg/g), and bergapten (3.14 mg/g)—were identified and quantified using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. To purify the extract and selectively isolate the target compounds, a solid-phase extraction method was developed using a Strata Eco-Screen sorbent and stepwise elution with a hexane–acetone mixture. As a result, pure angelicin, pure methoxsalen, and various mixtures of the furanocoumarins were obtained. These findings highlight the potential of <i>H. sosnowskyi</i> as a sustainable source of furanocoumarins for pharmaceutical applications. |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 2297-8739 |