Chemical Composition of Methanolic Extracts of Scutellaria orientalis L.: Digitoxin and Neocurdione Detection by Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

Background: Scutellaria orientalis subsp. virens is a species of Scutellaria genus (the Lamiaceae family). The aqueous root extract of S. orientalis has been traditionally used by Iranians to treat neurological disorders, dermatitis, and bronchitis. The active compounds in the roots and shoots of S. orientalis are mainly flavones such as baicalin, wogonoside, scutellarin, and their aglycons. These compounds have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial activities. Objectives: This study aimed to identify the root and shoot methanolic extracts components of S. orientalis. Methods: The Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) method was used to identify components of S. orientalis. Results: GC/MS analysis of methanolic root extract identified 63 components, such as flavonoids, fatty acids, ketones, glucosides, amino acids, steroids, and alkaloids, with flavonoids like wogonin (12.6%) as the main components. S. orientalis methanolic shoot extract analysis also identified 79 components such as ketones, alcohols, sesquiterpenes, fatty acids, steroids, vitamins, and diterpenoids, with digitoxin and neocurdione as the main components. In addition, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis of roots and shoots confirmed the presence of normal polymeric O-H stretch, aliphatic alkenes, aromatic alkenes, amides, ammonium ions, alcohols, ethers, carboxylic acids, esters, amines, and alkanes in the structure of identified compounds by GC/MS analysis. Conclusion: The obtained results revealed the presence of biologically active compounds that can be used for various herbal formulations.