Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to determine the tropane alkaloid content in different parts of the wild and cultivated Atropa belladonna L. and wild Atropa acuminata Royle ex Miers in Iran. Determination of alkaloids was performed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. Samples were extracted with chloroform- methanol- cc. ammonia 15:15:1(v/v/v). HPLC separation was performed on two C₈ columns. An isocratic mobile phase of acetonitrile- 50 mM phosphate buffer (pH 2.95) 10:90 and 20:80(v/v) was used. Peaks were identified by standards and diode-array detection. Scopolamine and atropine were determined by external method at 210 nm. The total alkaloid content of the A. belladonna L. of sari-kiassar road was determined by a HPLC method to be 2.88% for the leaves and 8.06% for the roots and 1.42% for the stem. The total alkaloid content of the cultivated A. belladonna L. was 1.76% for the leaves, 3.3% for the roots, 1.42% for the stem and 4.82% for the seeds. Total alkaloid content of the leaves of A. acuminata was 5.88%. In all samples the percentage of atropine was higher than scopolamine. The results showed that A. belladonna and A. acuminata constitutes the major storage site and had the highest amount of these alkaloids. These alkaloids may be transported to other plant organs providing potential deterrent and antimicrobial activities.

Key words: Atropa belladonna L., Atropa acuminata Royle ex Miers, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Tropane alkaloids.

Abbreviation

HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography.