Organic Chemistry II, Universität des Saarlandes, Saarbrücken, Germany.
Phytochem Anal. 2012 Mar-Apr;23(2):184-9. doi: 10.1002/pca.1341. Epub 2011 Aug 20.
Resins of the genus Boswellia are currently an interesting topic for pharmaceutical research since several pharmacological activities (e.g. anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumour) are reported for extracts and compounds isolated from them. Unambiguous identification of these resins, by simple and convenient analytical methods, has so far not clearly been verified.
For differentiation and identification of three important Boswellia species (Boswellia serrata Roxb., Boswellia papyrifera Hochst. and Boswellia carterii Birdw., respectively Boswellia sacra Flueck.), possible even for minimally equipped laboratories, a thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method was developed, allowing unambiguous identification of the three species.
Crude resin samples (commercial samples and a voucher specimen) were extracted with methanol or diethyl ether and subjected to TLC analysis (normal phase). A pentane and diethyl ether (2:1) with 1% acetic acid eluent was used. Chromatograms were analysed by UV detection (254 nm) and dyeing with anisaldehyde dyeing reagent. Significant spots were isolated and structures were assigned (mass spectrometry; nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy).
Incensole and incensole acetate are specific biomarkers for Boswellia papyrifera. Boswellia carterii/Boswellia sacra reveal ß-caryophyllene oxide as a significant marker compound. Boswellia serrata shows neither incensole acetate nor ß-caryophyllene oxide spots, but can be identified by a strong serratol and a sharp 3-oxo-8,24-dien-tirucallic acid spot.
The TLC method developed allows unambiguous identification of three different olibanum samples (Boswellia papyrifera, Boswellia serrata, Boswellia carterii/Boswellia sacra). Evidence on the specific biosynthesis routes of these Boswellia species is reported.
由于从乳香属植物中提取的提取物和化合物具有多种药理学活性（如抗炎、抗菌、抗肿瘤），因此乳香属植物目前是药物研究的一个热门课题。迄今为止，尚未通过简单便捷的分析方法对这些树脂进行明确的鉴定。
为了区分和鉴定三种重要的乳香属植物（Boswellia serrata Roxb.、Boswellia papyrifera Hochst. 和 Boswellia carterii Birdw.，分别为乳香、纸莎草乳香和乳香树），即使是设备简陋的实验室也可以使用一种薄层色谱（TLC）方法，该方法可以明确鉴定这三种植物。
用甲醇或乙醚提取粗树脂样品（商业样品和凭证标本），并进行 TLC 分析（正相）。使用正戊烷和乙醚（2:1）与 1%乙酸洗脱剂。用紫外线（254nm）检测和茴香醛染色试剂对图谱进行分析。分离出显著的斑点并对其结构进行赋值（质谱法；核磁共振波谱法）。
乳香醇和乳香醇乙酸酯是纸莎草乳香的特异性生物标志物。乳香树/乳香树显示β-石竹烯氧化物是一种重要的标记化合物。乳香树既没有乳香醇乙酸酯也没有β-石竹烯氧化物斑点，但可以通过强烈的蛇麻醇和尖锐的 3-氧代-8,24-二烯-蒂鲁卡酸斑点来识别。
所开发的 TLC 方法可明确鉴定三种不同的乳香样品（纸莎草乳香、乳香树、乳香树/乳香树）。报告了这些乳香属植物特定生物合成途径的证据。
