Studies On Identification And Resources Utilization Of Medicinal Plants Of Rumex L. In China

There are 26 species and 2 varietas of genus Rwnex L. in China. Some perennial herbs of this genus are used as Yang-Ti(Yangti), a common folk herb with the functions of treating various kinds of bleeding, ringworm and hepatitis.Through Ben-cao literature investigation, we found that Yangti has been used for at least two thousands years, which was first recorded in Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. We judged that Yangti used in ancient time were some perennial herbs, which including R. japonicus Houtt., R. nepalensis Spreng., R. patientia L., R. crispus L., R. chalepensis Mill., etc. We also found that Tudahuang in Tu Jing Ben Cao and Jinbuhuan in Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi 1? should be R. obtusjfolius L.. Suanmo in ancient Ben-cao was the same plant as used in present.The taxonomic researches on 13 species of Rzunex L. were made. The key of their botanical morphology was provided. We found that most species of Rumex L. could be specified by the characteristics of internal perianth (including its margin and tumor). This provides a practical and convenient method to identifying difference species of the genus.On the basis of morphological taxonomy, we carried out RAPD fingerprinting and rDNA ITS sequence analysis for identification of seven species of Rumex L.. DNA fingerprinting and polymorphism among samples of seven species were demonstrated with RAPD. The results showed that the samples of different species could be distinguished according to the banding patterns of their amplified DNA on agarose gels. Differences in sequences of rDNA ITS among seven species of Rumex L. were compared. The differences of rDNA ITS sequences would be useful for molecular identification of seven species of Rumex L. from China. At the same time, the phylogeny of the sevens species were preliminary analyzed.The morphological characters of the crude drugs of Rwnex L. were described. The differences among them were summarized and the key for identification of the crude drugs was also presented. TLC and UV analysis gave a result that similarities and differences in chemical constituents of ten species of Rumex L. exist. We also can identify different species by TLC and UV tests.Chemical pattern recognition of ten species of Ruinex L. were carried out by PCA method and classify method, which gave a result that current Yangti is easy to differ from other species ofRumex L.. Both methods provided a basis for classification of plants Rwnex L..Through field and market investigations as well as the collection of crude drug and plant specimens of Rumex L., it is clear that resources of this genus are very abundant and most medicinal plants of Rwnex L. are used as Yangti or Tudahuang. Except R~ obtus~folius L., other speceies of Rumex L. are wildly distributed grown in China.The constituents of polydatin (3,4?5-trihydroxystibene 3-0- P -D-glucopyranoside) were determined by means of HPCE. The results showed that the contents of polydatin differed among species of Rwnex L.. Contents of polydatin in R. japonicus are the highest, and that in R. obtzssjfolius, R. nepalensis, R. acetosa and R. chalepensis are next to it, but less in R. dentatus, R. hastatus and R. conglomerates. We also determined the contents of musizin in the roots of Rumex L. by HPLC. The results showed that musizin is a common constituent in genus of Rumex L.. As its antifungal and antioxidant activity, musizin can be used as a standard of quality control in medicinal plants of Rumex L..To provide the evidence for the exploitation and utilization of resources of Ruemxjaponicus Houtt., the chemical constituents of this plant were studied. Thirteen compounds were isolated from the ethanol extract of the roots. The structures of ten compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis. Their structures were elucidated as:chiysophanol(I), physcion(II), emodin (III), musizin(IV), P -sitosterol(V), chrysophanol 8-0- P D-glucopyranoside (VI), physcion 8-0- P -D-glucopyranoside (Vii), emodin 8-0- P -Dglucopyranoside (VIII), gallic acid(IX...