Rita Richter,* Hans-P. Hanssen, Wilfried A. Koenig† and Angelika Koch

Abstract: The root oils of three samples of Eleutherococcus senticosus were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The quantitatively most significant constituent in the oils of samples 1 and 2, respectively, was (E)-anethole (27.9–17.2%), whereas it could be found only at a concentration of 1.0% in sample 3. In this oil sample, predominating compounds were thymol (4.7%), α-longipinene (4,8%), guaia-6,9-dien-4β-ol (7.4%) and α-bisabolol (7.6%). Generally, the content of monoterpenoids (56–16%) was distinctly more variable compared to the sesquiterpenoids (36–25%).

Radix Eleutherococcus (Siberian ginseng) (Araliaceae) is used as a medicinal herb (1) and listed in many pharmacopeias (2). Several investigations have been published about their triterpenoic saponin (3) and phenylpropane fractions. So far, no data on the composition of the root oil of Eleutheroccus senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Maxim. [syn. Hedera senticosa Rupr. et Maxim.; Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr. et Maxim.) Harms] are available. We have analyzed the essential oils from three different origins and describe the occurrence of 60 components varying in part distinctly among the samples.