This study investigated the volatile flavor composition of essential oils from Ligularia fischeri and Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis. The essential oils obtained from the plants were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). 99.63% volatile flavor compounds were identified in the essential oil from the L. fischeri. The major compounds were (E)-3-hexenol (30.73%), longiverbenone (13.23%), viridiflorol (12.39%), γ-muurolene (7.32%), limonene (6.12%), and caryophyllene (β-4.24%). 99.76% volatile flavor compounds were identified in the essential oil from the L. fischeri var. spiciformis. The major compounds were ledol (42.81%), (E)-15-heptadecenoic acid (33.91%), β-bisabolol (3.23%), viridiflorol (3.08%), and cis-α-farnesene (2.60%). Although the two plants are very similar, the chemical composition of the essential oils was significantly different in quality and quantity. In the case of L. fischeri., it has high contents of monoterpene and sesquiterpene. (E)-3-hexenol, longiverbenone, α-phellandrene, and α-myrcene were regarded as the characteristic odorants of L. fischeri, but they were not identified in L. fischeri var. spiciformis. Ledo, (E)-15-heptadecenoic acid, and β-bisabolol were regarded as the characteristic odorants of L. fischeri var. spiciformis, but they were not identified in L. fischeri. The ratio of limonene, γ-muurolene and viridiflorol can be used as an indicator to distinguish between these two plants.

The plant Ligularia fischeri var. spiciformis (Compositae) is a candidate for available functional foods. It has been used to treat diabetes mellitus and rheumatoid arthritis. We have reported the isolation of a new eremophilanolide named 6-oxoeremophilenolide and cytotoxic intermedeol together with the isolation of hydrophilic constituents, chlorogenic acid, 3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acie (3), and 5-O-[1-butyl]-3,4-di-O-caffeoylquinic acid. Compound 3 was again isolated by combination of silica gel- and ODS column chromatography for the anti-nociceptive action. Compound 3 and 4 were assayed in hot plate- and writhing tests in the rat. Although the three derivatives of caffeic acid exhibited significant anti-nociceptive effects at 10 mg/kg dose (i.p.),(activity potency: 4>3). These results suggest that compound 3 is responsible for at least rheumatoid arthritis, and caffeic acid moiety is the active moiety of dicaffeoylquinic acid.