OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Potentilla chinensis.

METHODSilica gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH - 20 gel column chromatography were employed for the isolation and purfication. The structures were identified on the basis of spectral data and chemical evidence.

RESULTSix compounds were isolated and identified as follows: 3-hydroxy-11-ursen-28, 13-olide, 11, 12-dehydroursolic acid lactone (1), 3-O-acetyl pomolic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), 3-oxo-12-ursen-28-oic acid (4), ursolic acid (5), oleanic acid (6). CONCLOUSION: All these compounds were isolated from P. chinensis for the first time, compound 1, 2, 4 were isolated from this genus for the first time.

Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Potentilla ; chemistry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Potentilla discolor on 2,4,6-trinitrobenzensulfonic acid(TNBS)-induced experimental ulcerative colitis(UC) in rats and to determine its therapeutic mechanism through mitochondrial autophagy, immune cells, and cytokines. A rat model of UC was established by TNBS-ethanol enema. Rats were divided into six groups: control, UC model, sulfasalazine(positive drug), and high-dose, moderate-dose, and low-dose ethanol extract groups. After 14-day continuous administration of the corresponding drugs, the disease activity index(DAI) and hematoxylin and eosin(HE) were evaluated. The morphological structure of mitochondria was observed by using transmission electron microscope(TEM), mitophagy-related mRNA expression was detected by using Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR), immune cell differentiation in rat serum was detected by using flow cytometry(FCM), and cytokine expression in colon tissues of rats was detected by protein microarray. The results showed that compared with the model group, each dose group of P. discolor could significantly reduce the DAI of UC model rats, and decrease the degree of inflammatory cells infiltration in the colon tissue of UC model rats. Meanwhile the expressions of T cells and Th cells in the serum increased significantly, the expression of Tc cells in the serum decreased significantly. Transmission electron microscope found that there was fusion of mitochondria and lysosomes in the colon tissue of the administration group. The expressions of mitochondrial autophagy related genes NF-κB, p62 and parkin were significantly increased in colon tissues. The results of protein chip showed that compared with the model group, the high dose group of P. discolor could significantly regulate the expression of cytokines. In conclusion, these results suggested that P. discolor improved TNBS-induced acute ulcerative colitis in rats by regulating the mitochondrial autophagy and the inflammatory factor expression.
Animals ; Autophagy ; Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics* ; Colon ; Mitochondria ; Potentilla/genetics* ; Rats

OBJECTIVETo investigate the chemical constituents of Potentilla multifida.

METHODVarious chromatographic techniques were employed for isolation and purification of the constituents. The structures were elucidated by spectral analysis.

RESULTFour megastigmane glycosides were isolated from P. multifida and their structures were identified as citroside A (1), icariside B1 (2), (6S,7E,9R)-roseoside (3), (6S,7E,9R)-vomifoliol-9-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->6)-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (4), respectively.

CONCLUSIONAll compounds were obtained from the genus Potentilla for the first time.

Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Norisoprenoids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Potentilla ; chemistry

The phylogenetic relationships of the most dominant and morphologically cryptic endophytic fungal isolates from each of five selected medicinal plants, namely Potentilla fulgens, Osbeckia stellata, Osbeckia chinensis, Camellia caduca, and Schima khasiana of the biodiversity rich state of Meghalaya, were assessed with random amplification of polymorphic DNA and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism profiles. Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1, small subunit rRNA and partial beta-tubulin gene fragments was also conducted to determine the phylogenetic relationships of these isolates with fungal sequences available in Genbank, NCBI. The identity of the fungal isolates is suggested based on the molecular phylogenetic data.
Biodiversity ; Camellia ; Databases, Nucleic Acid ; DNA ; Fungi ; India ; Plants, Medicinal ; Potentilla ; Tubulin

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of foliar endophytic fungi and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on plant community structure in experimental microcosms containing an assemblage of five species of plants (Oenothera odorata, Plantago asiatica, Trifolium repens, Isodon japonicas and Aster yomena). Leaves of Sasa borealis, Potentilla fragarioides, and Viola mandshurica were collected in Chungbuk, Korea. Endophytic fungi were isolated from the surface sterilized leaves and identified to species level using molecular and morphological techniques. Four isolates of the endophytic fungi were inoculated to the leaves of host plants in the microcosms. Also, three species of AMF spores were extracted from pure cultures and the mixture of the three species inoculated to the roots of the plants. After four months of growth in a green house, effects of both symbiotic fungi on plant species diversity, community composition and productivity were examined. The plant species diversity showed significant differences with inoculation of the symbiotic fungi. Results indicate that AMF significantly affect plant productivity and plant community structure.
Chungcheongbuk-do ; Efficiency ; Endophytes ; Fungi* ; Isodon ; Korea ; Mycorrhizae ; Plantago ; Plants* ; Potentilla ; Sasa ; Spores ; Trifolium ; Viola

There are 200-500 species of Potentilla(Rosaceae) worldwide, among which 90 species are widely distributed in China and have a long history of ethnic medicinal use. According to our statistics, a total of 367 compounds have been isolated and identified from plants of this genus, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and phenylpropanoids. The medicinal materials made from these plants mainly have antioxidative, blood sugar-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, cardiovascular system-protecting, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. This study systematically reviews the research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Potentilla plants to provide a basis for further research and clinical application.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Potentilla

OBJECTIVETo identify the tyrosinase inhibitory constituent quickly from Potentilla bifurca.

METHODThe active constituent was found through fraction collecting and tyrosinase inhibitory activity by bioassay-linked HPLC method.

RESULTThe methanol extracts and BuOH fraction of Potentilla bifurca showed strong tyrosinase inhibitory activities. From BuOH fraction of Potentilla bifurca, the tyrosinase inhibitory constituent was isolated and identified as flavonoid, quercetin-4'-O-beta-D-glucoside. It express stronger tyrosinase inhibition than the known tyrosinase inhibitor, kojic acid (IC50 = 0.28 mmol x L(-1)) with IC50 value of 0.001 9 mmol x L(-1).

CONCLUSIONBioassay-linked HPLC fractionation method was provided for determination the active constituents quickly from herbal medicines.

Enzyme Inhibitors ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Kinetics ; Peptides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Potentilla ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effect of alcohol extract of Potentilla anserina against myocardial apoptosis induced by acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion by arteria coronaria ligation and the effect on the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 in myocardial apoptosis signal pathway.

METHODMale SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the diltiazem group (30 mg x kg(-1)) and P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups (0.9, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1)). Rat acute myocardial ischemia/reperfusion model was established by ligating left anterior descending. Apoptosis of myocardial cells were detected by TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay). The expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 mRNA were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Semi-quantitative analysis was made for the expressions of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTAccording to TUNEL results, after I/R injury-induced myocardial apoptosis, the apoptotic index (AI) of model group was (31.5 +/- 3.6)%. All P. anserine alcohol extract intervention groups showed obvious inhibition of ischemia/reperfusion-induced myocardial apoptosis. In the model group, myocardial apoptosis caused increased expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 mRNA and proteins. After the administration of P. anserine alcohol extract, 1.8, 3.6 g x kg(-1) dose groups showed notable decrease in Caspase-9 mRNA (P < 0.05), while the 0.9 g x kg(-1) dose group showed no significant difference with the model group. Alcohol extract of P. anserina in all dosages showed inhibitory effect on the expression of Caspase-3 mRNA in myocardial cells compared with model group (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed that administration of all dosages of alcohol extract of P. anserina could significantly reduce Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 protein expressions after I/R injury (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe administration with alcohol extract of P. anserina can protect the myocardial tissue from apoptosis after acute myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury in rats and inhibit the expressions of Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 mRNA and proteins.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Caspase 9 ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Potentilla ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

A water-soluble polysaccharide fraction from root of Potentilla anserine was obtained. Gas chromatogram, FT-IR, physical and chemical characteristics of the Potentilla anserine polysaccharide fraction (PAPF) were analyzed. The protective effects of PAPF against the H2O2 induced process of apoptosis of murine splenic lymphocytes were investigated in vitro. Morphological assessment of apoptosis was performed with light microscope and laser scanning confocal microscope. DNA fragmentation was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis. The amount of apoptotic cells was measured by flow cytometry. The results showed that PAPF is composed of rhamnose, arabinose glucose and galactose. H2O2 (200 micromol x L(-1)) induced apoptosis of murine splenic lymphocytes with the cell volume reduced, cytoplasm and nuclear shrunk and DNA stained non-uniformly. Condensed chromatin and formation of apoptotic body were observed in the apoptotic cells. Apoptotic bodies in the cells treated with PAPF and H2O2 were less than those in H2O2 treatment alone. DNA fragmentation assay showed that PAPF (50, 100, 200, and 400 microg x mL(-1)) obviously reduced H2O2-induced ladder bands. Flow cytometry analysis showed that H2O2 increased the populations of apoptotic sub-G1 cells from 5.60% (control) to 45.40%, and PAPF decreased H2O2-induced apoptosis to 37.80%, 22.70%, 17.70%, and 8.50%, respectively. In conclusion, PAPF reduced H2O2-induced oxidative damage in a dose dependent manner.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; DNA Fragmentation ; Flow Cytometry ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; pharmacology ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Mice ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Potentilla ; Spleen ; cytology

AIMTo identify the commercial drugs collected from 11 different areas with name of "Baitouweng", in order to understand the homonym status of Baitouweng in markets.

METHODSBased on macroscopic identification, we further studied the microscopic structures of the collected samples by digital imaging technique.

RESULTSNine species belong to 4 different families have been found out from the commercial drugs of "Baitouweng". There are the roots of Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel (recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia with name "Baitouweng"), P. cernua (Thunb.) Bercht et Opiz, P. turczaninovii Kryl. et Serg., P. dahurica (Fisch.) Spreng., Anemone tomentosa (Maxim.) Pei, Rhaponticum uniflorum (L.) DC. and the herbs of Potentilla chinensis Ser., Po. discolor Beg. and Polycarpaea corymbosa Lam..

CONCLUSIONThe original plants of the crude drug "Baitouweng" were still promiscuous in the market because there are different medicinal usages in different areas resulting in the phenomenon of homonym for Baitouweng. Otherwise, the digital photographs offered by the paper visually reflected the main microscopic characteristics of the commercial "Baitouweng", can be used for the identification of the above drugs.

Anemone ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Drug Contamination ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Pharmacognosy ; Plant Roots ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Potentilla ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Pulsatilla ; anatomy & histology ; cytology ; Quality Control ; Species Specificity