Analysis of some toxic plants of ranunculus L. genus by GC-MS

Ranunculaceae Juss., also known as Buttercups family. The Family is of great importance in forensic chemistry and forensic toxicology because it produces toxic alkaloids. These alkaloids are highly toxic and can cause serious harm and even death to humans and animals if ingested. In this study, Ranunculus illyricus L. subsp. illyricus and Ranunculus arvensis L. are aimed to elucidate the anatomical structures and chemical content. For this purpose, the anatomical structures of the plants were examined with a light microscope, and the chemical content of methanol and acetone extracts was clarified. Plants were preserved in 70% ethanol for anatomical studies. Anatomical sections of plant parts were prepared with Sartur reagent and examined with a light microscope. The main active substance groups of the plants were determined by qualitative examination of the dried flowering herbs of the plants after they were pulverized in a grinder. GC/MS system consisting of Agilent 6890 chromatograph and 5973 N mass selective detector, (5%-phenyl)-methylpolysiloxane (HP-5ms or equivalent) for the analysis of volatile and semi-volatile compounds (30x0.25x 0.25) was used with the colon. R. illyricus subsp. illyricus has a disc-shaped stem cross-section with stomata and cover hairs in the epidermis.The stem of R. arvensis is flattened from the sides and the middle part is observed to be hallow. The epidermis bears stomata and covering hairs. The leaf of R. illyricus subsp. illyricus is bifacial in the cross section and the palisade parenchyma is mostly 1-, rarely 2-rowed. The leaf of R. arvensis is monofacial, the palisade and sponge parenchyma are not observed in the mesophyll. The epidermis of both leaves bears stomata and cover hairs on both the upper and lower surfaces. In the study of Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of R. illyricus subsp. illyricus methanol extracts were detected 38 substances , while 25 substances were detected in the acetone extract. 18 substances were detected in the methanol extract and 10 substances in the acetone extract of R. arvensis. The anatomical structure of the plant's tissues can provide useful information in diagnosing and identifying a poisonous plant. The chemical structures of the two selected plants were also elucidated by the analysis of the chemical content of the extracts. These analyzes will provide important benefits in the diagnosis and determination of poisonous plants in cases of poisoning.