Chemistry

The principal constituents of the whole plant are ecdysteroids (5 beta-cholest-6-on-

7-ene derivatives) and flavonoids. Also polyacetylenes and triterpenes have been
isolated from different parts of the plant (Girault et. al. 1984, Szendrei et. al. 1984,
Varga et al. 1986 and 1990). Of the isolated compounds, only 20-hydroxyecdysone
is currently considered to play an important role in the action of this plant. (Syrov
and Kurmukov 1976). The main flavonoides are 6-methoxy-kampferol, patuletin,
isorhamnetin-glycoside and quercetin-5-glycoside. All leaf and root samples
contained 20-hydroxyecdysone as a main compound of Leuzea. The 20-
hydroxyecdysone of the roots ranged from 0.12 to 0.20%, being higher than that of
the leaves.

The 20-hydroxyecdysone content of the leaves ranged between 0.006 and 0.10%.
According to the quantitative and qualitative data obtained experimentally, the
optimum time for root harvest of Leuzea carthamoides is at the end of August when
the 20-hydroxyecdysone content is the highest.