Coltsfoot leaves (Tussilago farfara L.) a promising source of essential amino acids

Objective: Free and bounded amino acids are one of the valuable biologically active substances (BAS) containing in medicinal plants with other BAS groups. The research aims to determine the profile and content of free and bounded amino acids in coltsfoot leaves infusion by HPLC-UV, as well as suggest alternative ways to use it in medicine. Materials and methods: Coltsfoot leaves (crushed herbal drug) were used as plant material for preparing infusion and analysis. Amino acids profile and content were analyzed by RP-HPLC-UV after pre-column derivatization with o-phthalaldehyde and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (OPA) (derivatization of primary amines) and with fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (FMOC) (secondary amines). The sources of scientific literature concerning the amino acid composition of crushed herbal drugs were also studied. Results: 10 free and 13 bounded amino acids were identified in coltsfoot leaves infusion. Total content was 44.04±2.20 mg/g (Arg > Tyr > Gln > Ala > Asn > Met > Ile > Val > Lys > Leu) and 57.79±2.89 mg/g (Arg > Gln > Lys > Tyr > Gly > Asn > Val > Thr > Ala > Ile > Nva > Leu > Met) respectively. Content of essential amino acids - 0,89±0,04 mg/g (5 free); 9,58±0,48 mg/g (5 bounded). Conclusions: Since the coltsfoot leaves contain a significant amount of arginine, studies involving the prevention and adjunctive treatment of viral diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 virus infection (COVID-19), are promising. © 2020 EManuscript Technologies. All rights reserved.