Phytochemical characterization of Rosa multiflora Thunb. (Rosaceae) in Japan and South Korea, with a focus on the bioactive flavonol glycoside ‘multiflorin A’

AbstractDried achene or anthocarpous accessory fruits ofRosa multiflora Thunb., Rosae fructus ( “Eijitsu” in Japanese), have been used in clinical practice to improve constipation within traditional Japanese medicine. Recently, it has been claimed that the efficacy of this crude drug is decreasing, and multiflorin A, the purgative component, was not detected within the tested samples. In o rder to clarify the causes of this issue, we investigatedRosa sectionSynstylae (Rosaceae), includingR.multiflora, growing in Japan and South Korea with a focus on the secondary metabolite, multiflorin A. We recognize that there are two chemotypes based on the presence (Type I) or absence (Type II) of multiflorin A. Type I contains quercitrin, multinoside A, multiflorin B, and multinoside A acetate as major index compounds. Type II contains hyperin, isoquercitrin, quercetin 3-O-glucuronide, and 3 ′-methoxy-isoquercitrin as the major index compounds. The chemotype ofRosa sectionSynstylae (Rosaceae) plants collected in Japan (excluding Tsushima Island) were all classified as Type I with exception of two species,R. luciae andR. sambucina. On the other hand, both Type I and Type II were detected within Rosae fructus obtained fromR. multiflora collected in South Korea and Tsushima Island, Japan. The results indicate that Rosae fructus fromR. multiflora (Type I) from Japan, excluding Tsushima Island, should be employed clinically, which we describe as purgative.
Source: Journal of Natural Medicines - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research