Inula montana L. from the flora of France was studied in continuation of a search for new potential sources of biologically active compounds. I. montana (Asteraceae, Compositae) is widely used in folk medicine of Provence to treat hematomas as a replacement for Arnica montana.
Herein, the new myo-inositol derivative myo-inositol-1,5-diangelate-3,6-diacetate is characterized. Previously, four new myo-inositol derivatives were isolated from this species.

Ethnopharmacological relevance
Flowers of Inula montana L. (Asteraceae), commonly known as “Arnica de Provence”, are used in the traditional medicine of Provence in France with the same indication as Arnica montana, for the relief of bruises, as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Aims of the study
The aim of our study is to evaluate its anti-inflammatory properties and to justify its traditional uses. Its potential valorization is evaluated in order to propose Inula montana as an alternative to Arnica montana.

Materials and methods
Bio-guided fractionation of ethanolic extract allowed the isolation of compounds responsible of the inhibition of NO production. The fractionation was realized using chromatographic techniques and structure elucidation was conducted by ESI-MS and NMR spectral data. Anti-inflammatory effect of ethanolic extract, different fractions and isolated pure compounds was studied in vitro on immortalized mouse macrophages RAW 264.7. An analytical UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS/MS method was developed for the identification of these compounds in the herbal drug. This UHPLC-DAD method was validated and was used to compare the phenolic profile and content in plant material from the two collection sites: Bonnieux and Merindol.

Results
Eleven compounds were identified by UHPLC-MS. Chlorogenic acid (1), Luteolin (2), Nepetin (3), 3,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (4), 1,5-O-Dicaffeoylquinic acid (5), Nepitrin (6), Hispiduloside (7) and Jaceosid (8) were isolated and identified by NMR. Compounds 9, 10 and 11 were confirmed to be 6-Hydroxykaempferol 3,7-dimethyl ether, Hispidulin and Chrysosplenol C, respectively by comparing retention times and MS/MS data with those of the authentic substances. Six compounds: 1 and 4–8 are reported for the first time in Inula montana L. Compounds 2–8 showed promising anti-inflammatory activity with the release of NO with IC50 value <7 µM. The UHPLC-DAD method of quantification of three major bioactive compounds (1, 3 and 5) was validated. Conclusion Flowers extracts and isolated compounds present promising anti-inflammatory activity which provides a scientific basis for the traditional use of Inula montana and may be proposed in the same indications as Arnica montana. The developed and validated simple, accurate and rapid UHPLC method can be used for the quality control of the herbal drug.

The new acylated flavonoid bioside 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein-7-O-[4′′′-O-acetyl]allopyranosyl-(1→2)-glucopyranoside (1) was isolated from the aerial parts of Stachys annua L. (Lamiaceae). Subterranean organs yielded for the first time 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein (2) and 4′-O-methylisoscutellarein-7-O-[6′′-Oacetyl] allopyranosyl-(1→2)-glucopyranoside (3). Chemical structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated using NMR spectroscopy.

A phytochemical investigation of the ethanol extract of leaves and flowers of Inula montana L. led to the isolation of one new sesquiterpene acid called Eldarin (1) and four new inositol derivatives, Myoinositol,1,5-diangelate-4,6-diacetate (2), Myoinositol,1,6-diangelate-4,5-diacetate (3), Myoinositol-1-angelate-4,5-diacetate-6-(2-methylbutirate) (4), Myoinositol-1-angelate-4,5-diacetate-6-isovalerate (5) isolated for the first time, along with eleven known compounds described for the first time in Inula montana, 1β-Hydroxyarbusculin A (6), Artemorin (7), Santamarin (8), Chrysosplenol C (9), 6-Hydroxykaempferol 3,7-dimethyl ether (10), Reynosin (11), Calenduladiol-3-palmitate (12), Costunolide (13), 4-Hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzenemethanol (14), 9β-Hydroxycostunolide (15) and Hispidulin (16). Structural elucidation has been carried out by spectral methods, such as 1D and 2D NMR, IR, UV and HR-ESI-MS. These compounds have been tested in vitro for anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activity on macrophages RAW 264.7. As a result, compounds 2, 3, 7, 13, 14, 15 and 16 showed a release of NO with IC50 value < 30 μM on macrophages.

An ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) was optimized for the extraction of three bioactive alkaloids, namely, palmatine, roemerine, and tetrahydropalmatine from the tuber of Stephania cambodica. The performance of UAE and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) was compared with that of percolation. UAE and MAE are also more environmentally friendly and use less toxic chemicals. MAE was as efficient as UAE for the extraction of tetrahydropalmatine; however, UAE significantly enhanced extraction yields of palmatine and roemerine. The influence of effective variables viz. liquid–solid ratio, percentage of ethanol, and time on UAE was then investigated using response surface methodology. The optimal UAE conditions were found to be ethanol 52%, time 9 min, and liquid–solid ratio 26.6:1 mL/g. Structural change was conducted by scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggest that UAE is a practical extractive procedure for preparation of alkaloid-rich extract for pharmacological investigation and for analytical control of S. cambodica tuber.

A new aporphine glycoside (1), named 'angkorwatine', and eight known alkaloids: oblongine (2), stepharine (3), asimilobine-β-d-glucopyranoside (4), isocorydine (5), tetrahydropalmatine (THP) (6), jatrorrhizine (7), palmatine (PAL) (8), and roemerine (ROE) (9) were simultaneously isolated from the tuber of Stephania cambodica. The development and validation of UHPLC-DAD method was carried out for the quantification of marker compounds (PAL, ROE, THP) of S. cambodica. In addition to good selectivity and linearity (r(2) > 0.997), trueness, precision, and accuracy of the method did not exceed the acceptance limit of ±10% for ROE, THP and ±20% for PAL. Consequently, this method is able to provide accurate results between 1.39-4.18 μg/mL, 2.01-30.72 μg/mL, and 4.29-64.42 μg/mL for PAL, ROE, and THP, respectively. This study shows that the validated UHPLC method is a rapid, innovative and effective analytical approach to control quality of tubers of S. cambodica and to regulate the usage of this plant in traditional medicine.

We provide in this article the catalogue of the species names currently accepted in the genus Stephania (Menispermaceae), together with information relative to their types. Sixty-nine species of Stephania are recognized and 36 lectotypes are designated here. This checklist constitutes the basis for a future taxonomical revision of the genus Stephania.

Inula montana is a member of the family Asteraceae and is present in substantial numbers in Garrigue country (calcareous Mediterranean ecoregion). This species has traditionally been used for its anti-inflammatory properties as well as Arnica montana. In this study, three habitats within Luberon Park (southern France) were compared regarding their pedoclimatic parameters and the resulting morpho-physiological response of the plants. The data showed that I. montana grows in south-facing poor soils and tolerates large altitudinal and temperature gradients. The habitat conditions at high elevation appear to affect mostly the morphology of the plant (organ shortening). Although the leaf contents of total polyphenols and flavonoids subclass essentially followed a seasonal pattern, many sesquiterpene lactones were shown to accumulate first at the low-elevation growing sites that suffered drought stress (draining topsoil, higher temperatures and presence of a drought period during the summer). This work highlights the biological variability of I. montana related to the variation of its natural habitats which is promising for the future domestication of this plant. The manipulation of environmental factors during cultivation is of great interest due to its innovative perspective for modulating and exploiting the phytochemical production of I. montana.