OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of the root of Rhaponticum uniflorum.

METHODSeparation and purification were performed on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. Their structure were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical and spectral analysis.

RESULTFive triterpenoid compounds were isolated and identified as ursolic acid (1), 3-oxo-19alpha-hydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid (2), pomolic acid (3), arjunic acid (4) and tormentic acid (5), respectively.

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1 approximately 5 were isolated from the genus Rhaponticum for the first time.

Leuzea ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo analyze the monosaccharide composition in the polysaccharides from Rhaponticum uniforum, determine the content of monosaccharide, and provide some references for further research.

METHODThe monosaccharide composition was determined by high performance anion exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection (HPAEC-PAD). Phenol-sulfuric acid method was used for the determination of the content of polysaccharide.

RESULTThe monosaccharides composition in polysaccharides from R. uniforum are glucose, arabonose and fructose. Their molar ratios are 1 : 1.61 : 2.21. The content of polysaccharide is 95.78%, taking the mixture of monosaccharide compositions as reference substances.

CONCLUSIONHPAEC-PAD can be used to analyze the monosaccharide composition in the polysaccharide with high precision, and the method of phenol-sulfuric acid is simple, convenient and reliable.

Calibration ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Leuzea ; chemistry ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Polysaccharides ; analysis ; isolation & purification ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Rhaponticum uniforum polysaccharide on immune function in normal mice and the underlying mechanism.

METHODSRBC and ovalbumin were employed as antigens to be injected to mice, respectively. Three doses of R. uniforum polysaccharide (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) were given orally for seven days. After the secondary immunization, the level of corresponding antibody and the concentration of serum IL-2, IFN-gamma were determined.

RESULTThe levels of antibodies (anti-SRBC and anti-ovalbumin) and cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-gamma) in median dose group of R. uniforum polysaccharide were all significantly higher than those in control groups (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONR. uniforum polysaccharide could enhance the immune function in normal mice.

Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antibody Formation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Leuzea ; chemistry ; Male ; Mice ; Ovalbumin ; immunology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Sheep