Chromatography-mass spectrometric study of Arceuthobium oxicedri raw material

Arceuthobium oxycedri, M. Bieb., commonly known as dwarf mistletoe, is widespread in the Mediterranean region, parasitizing the branches of Juniperus oxycedrus as a host plant. Compared to white mistletoe, it is more aggressive. It exhibits antibacterial, antifungal, phytotoxic, cytotoxic, and insecticidal activities. Aim. The study aimed to investigate the qualitative and quantitative composition of biologically active substances and the biological activity of the methanol extract of juniper dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium oxicedri, M. Bieb.) as a potential source of medicinal substances. Materials and methods. The object of the study was the shoots and branches of juniper dwarf mistletoe collected during the fruiting phase. The qualitative and quantitative determination of components was carried out at the Department of Toxicological and Inorganic Chemistry, Zaporizhzhia State Medical and Pharmaceutical University. Results. Chromatography-mass spectrometric analysis of juniper dwarf mistletoe identified 34 components, the main ones being γ-curcumin (20.405 %), cedrol (17.619 %), epimanoyl oxide (5.142 %), and humulene (3.893 %). Conclusions. The data obtained indicate the significant value of juniper dwarf mistletoe as a source of biologically active compounds, providing a basis for further study to develop promising medicinal substances.