Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Stigmasterol from Iraqi Calendula officinalis

Calendula officinalis L. (Asteraceae) plant origin from Mediterranean countries, and in addition to the beauty of its flowers they also have important medicinal properties in the healing of many illnesses particularly skin issues. C. officinalis in the world was reported and assessed as a medicinal plant, like British pharmacopoeia (BP), European pharmacopoeia (EU), WHO and PDR. Calendula officinalis Linn. Contains 0.4% of flavonoids as minimum, calculated as Hyperoside of dried herbal substance according to British pharmacopeia (2). The Chemical Constituents are: Triterpene saponins, Triterpene (Stigmasterol), Flavonoids: isorhamnetin glycosides and quercetin glycosides, Coumarins: umbelliferon, scopoletin and aesculetin, Carotenoids: mainly zeaxanthin and Lutein (5). Stigmasterol is an essential ingredient that has been isolated from plants. Stigmasterol considered a progesterone precursor and serves as an intermediate in corticoids, androgens estrogens biosynthesis (10) and vitamin D3 synthesis (3). Stigmasterol is a triterpenes C30-derive phytosterol, naturally happening C28 and C29 carbon steroid alcohols that is similar to cholesterol in structure as well as biological activity (4).in this study Stigmasterol was identified by TLC, Mass analysis. Structure elucidation was performed using, FTIR and Mass analysis. The quantity of Stigmasterol was measured in the Iraqi plant.