triterpene glycosides
The phytoconstituents of Cimicifuga racemosa are not completely known, but the triterpene glycosides are considered the main active constituents (Liske 1998). Black Cohosh contains principally xylosides: actein (aglycone: acetylacteol) and cimicifugoside (aglycone: cimigenol), also called cimigoside, deoxyacetylacteol, and 27-deoxyactein (Leung & Foster 1996, Schaper & Brümmer 1997). Three novel cyclolanostanol xylosides were recently isolated: cimicifugosides H-1(1), H-3(2),and H-4(3). All of these constituents contain a cyclopropane ring as a common structural feature, and are structurally related to cycloartenol (Koeda et al. 1994).
ISOFLAVONES
Formononetin was isolated by Jarry and co-workers in 1985 (referenced in Liske 1998), but more recent studies of the commercial preparation, Remifemin®, failed to show its presence in the isopropyl/ethanolic aqueous extract (Struck et al. 1997), although other isoflavones are present.
ALKALOIDS
N-methylcytisine, and related unknown quinolizidine alkaloids, have been reported (Newall et al. 1996).
PHENOLIC ACIDS
Isoferulic and salicylic acids are reported in black cohosh (Leung & Foster 1996). (Note: low concentrations of salicylates are widely distributed in many plants. The small amounts in black cohosh are unlikely to cause any allergic reactions in individuals sensitive to acetylsalicylic acid.)
OTHER CONSTITUENTS
Other constituents include tannin, resins cimicifugin = macrotin), volatile oils, palmitic, gallic, butyric, and oleic acids, starches and sucrose (Duke 1985). Newall et al. (1996) further quantifies cimicifugin (15-20%), described as a resinous mixture containing racemosin, and other unspecified phytosterols, as well as acetic acid and actein.
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