Chemical composition of the volatile oil from Cynanchum stauntonii and its activities of anti-influenza virus

The volatile oil of the roots of Cynanchum stauntonii was examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Thirty-eight constituents were identified. (E,E)-2,4-Decadienal, 3-efhyl-4-methypentanol, 5-pentyl-3H-furan-2-one, (E,Z)-2,4-decadienal and 2(3H)-furanone,dihydro-5-pentyl were found to be the major components. The volatile oil exhibited the activities against influenza virus in vitro (IC50s=64 microg/ml). In in vivo experiment, it prevented influenza virus-induced deaths in a dose-dependent manner.