Phytochemical analysis of symphytum officinale root culture extract

Abstract

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) root preparations are known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, the phenolic profile of extract samples of Symphytum officinale callus root cultures (up to 70% of ethanol) was determined using various approaches. For the first time, a unique polymer of two types was isolated from samples of comfrey root cultures (the caffeic acid derivative is a new class of natural polyether with 3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) glyceric acid as a repeating unit). M-methoxybenzoic acid (30.05 µg/mL extract) or rosmarinic acid (45.70 µL/mL extract) were identified as the main phenolic component. Rosmarinic, chlorogenic, and caffeic acids have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, antitumor, neuroprotective, antioxidant, and other properties, which also determine the characteristics of comfrey and preparations made from it. The studied phenolic profile and the analysis of published data showed that the extract samples of comfrey callus cultures had similar characteristics, which makes them an important source of phenolic compounds with pronounced antioxidant activity.