The genus Ranunculus L. (Ranunculus) in Asia: a review of its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmaceutical preparations.

OBJECTIVES: Ranunculus L. genus contains 413 species, and it is the biggest genus in the family Ranunculaceae Juss. This review is to provide botanical characteristics, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity, and pharmaceutical preparations of the genus Ranunculus. KEY FINDINGS: The genus Ranunculus contains flavonoids, organic acids, coumarins, lactones, glycosides, sterols, polysaccharides, and trace elements. These chemical constituents complement the pharmacological actions and work together to exert anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antitubercular, antibacterial, antimalarial, etc. Those traditional Chinese medicine characteristics, like clearing away heat and detoxification, make this genus significant in ethnic medicine. The progress in research and the development of various pharmaceutical preparations made it appear in epidemiological and clinical studies. SUMMARY: The genus Ranunculus has attracted the attention of experts and scholars in many fields due to its unique advantages. However, there are many species that are not scientifically investigated. The toxicity issues are also a huge concern. Fortunately, the toxicity can be overcome via special processes like drying or heating and by choosing a safe extraction solvent, such as water thus ensuring the safety of medication. Pharmaceutical preparations containing the plants from Ranunculus have gratifying clinical value, but they are not promoted sufficiently. Therefore, further research should be carried out to promote the genus for its health benefits to humans.

Ranunculus ternatus Thunb extract attenuates renal fibrosis of diabetic nephropathy via inhibiting SMYD2.

CONTEXT: Ranunculus ternatus Thunb (Ranunculaceae), (RTT) is used clinically for the treatment of tuberculosis or as tumour adjuvant therapy, but its potential effect on diabetic nephropathy (DN) has not been studied. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of RTT extract in renal fibrosis of DN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (n = 12). Diabetes mellitus (DM) mice were induced by streptozotocin (STZ, 55 mg/kg/day) for five consecutive days and treated by RTT extract (2 g/kg). Afterward, blood glucose, HE and Masson staining were assayed. The expression levels of Vimentin, ɑ-SMA, TNF-ɑ, NF-κB p-p65, NF-κB p65, SMYD2, H3K36me3, H3K4me3 were determined by western blots. Firbronectin was respectively assayed by western blot and immunofluorescent staining. RESULTS: RTT extract significantly ameliorated renal injury and renal fibrosis in the renal tissue of STZ-induced diabetic mice as demonstrated by the decreased expression level of Fibronectin (65%), Vimentin and α-SMA (75% & 53%). In addition, the levels of TNF-α (57%), NF-κB p-p65 and NF-κB p65 (35% & 25%) were elevated in the DN mice. Importantly, these were alleviated after RTT extract treatment. Moreover, we observed that the protein levels of SMYD2 (30%), H3K36me3 and H3K4me3 (53% & 75%) were reduced in DN mice after treatment with RTT extract. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: RTT extract mediates antifibrotic effects and anti-inflammatory responses in STZ-induced DN mainly through suppressing SMYD2 activation and H3K36me3 and H3K4me3 protein expression. RTT extract might have therapeutic potential against high glucose-induced nephropathy.

In Vitro Antileishmanial and Antischistosomal Activities of Anemonin Isolated from the Fresh Leaves of Ranunculus multifidus Forsk.

Leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis are neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) infecting the world's poorest populations. Effectiveness of the current antileishmanial and antischistosomal therapies are significantly declining, which calls for an urgent need of new effective and safe drugs. In Ethiopia fresh leaves of Ranunculus multifidus Forsk. are traditionally used for the treatment of various ailments including leishmaniasis and eradication of intestinal worms. In the current study, anemonin isolated from the fresh leaves of R. multifidus was assessed for its in vitro antileishmanial and antischistosomal activities. Anemonin was isolated from the hydro-distilled extract of the leaves of R. multifidus. Antileishmanial activity was assessed on clinical isolates of the promastigote and amastigote forms of Leishmania aethiopica and L. donovani clinical isolates. Resazurin reduction assay was used to determine antipromastigote activity, while macrophages were employed for antiamastigote and cytotoxicity assays. Antischistosomal assays were performed against adult Schistosoma mansoni and newly transformed schistosomules (NTS). Anemonin displayed significant antileishmanial activity with IC50 values of 1.33 nM and 1.58 nM against promastigotes and 1.24 nM and 1.91 nM against amastigotes of L. aethiopica and L. donovani, respectively. It also showed moderate activity against adult S. mansoni and NTS (49% activity against adult S. mansoni at 10 µM and 41% activity against NTS at 1 µM). The results obtained in this investigation indicate that anemonin has the potential to be used as a template for designing novel antileishmanial and antischistosomal pharmacophores.

Integrated strategy of LC-MS and network pharmacology for predicting active constituents and pharmacological mechanisms of Ranunculus japonicus Thunb. for treating rheumatoid arthritis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ranunculus japonicus Thunb. (short for R. japonicus) is a topically applied herb with the activities of removing jaundice, nebula and edema, preventing malaria, stopping asthma, promoting diuresis and relieving pain. It was firstly recorded in Zhouhou Beiji Fang and has been used for the treatment of malaria, ulcers, carbuncle, jaundice, migraine, stomachache, toothache and arthritis for over 1800 years. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to uncover the potentially effective components of R. japonicus and the pharmacological mechanisms against rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by combing LC-MS and network pharmacology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Firstly, the chemical constituents of R. japonicus were qualitatively identified by UPLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap MS. Then we performed target prediction by PharmMapper, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis via String, GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis by DAVID and constructed the compound-target-pathway network using Cytoscape. Thirdly, crucial compounds in the network were quantitatively analyzed to achieve quality control of R. japonicus. Finally, the pharmacological activities of R. japonicus and two potentially bioactive ingredients were validated in RA-FLSs (Rheumatoid Arthritis Fibroblast-like Synoviocytes) in vitro. RESULTS: Overall fifty-four ingredients of R. japonicus were identified and forty-five components were firstly discovered in R. japonicus. Among them, twenty-seven validated compounds were predicted to act on twenty-five RA-related targets and they might exhibit therapeutic effects against RA via positive regulation of cell migration, etc. Nine potentially bioactive components of R. japonicus which played important roles in the compound-target-pathway network were simultaneously quantified by an optimized UPLC-ESI-Triple Quad method. In vitro, compared to control group, R. japonicus extract, berberine and yangonin significantly inhibited the migration capacity of RA-FLSs after 24 h treatment. CONCLUSION: This study clarified that R. japonicus and the bioactive ingredients berberine and yangonin might exert therapeutic actions for RA via suppressing the aggressive phenotypes of RA-FLSs through combined LC-MS technology and network pharmacology tools for the first time. The present research provided deeper understanding into the chemical profiling, pharmacological activities and quality control of R. japonicus and offered reference for further scientific research and clinical use of R. japonicus in treating RA.

Anti-inflammatory activity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts from Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. and their phenolic profile.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: The members of the genus Ranunculus have counter-irritating properties and thus, they are traditionally used for treating anti-inflammatory disorders and other skin conditions. Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. is a wild medicinal plant growing in Algeria and traditionally used to treat some cutaneous skin disorders. AIM: The aim of this study was to characterize the composition of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts from Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf. as well as to elucidate and to compare their effect against acute skin inflammation. Moreover, both the antioxidant activity and the acute toxicity of the plant extracts were also studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Spectrophotometric and chromatographic methods were employed to identify and quantify phenolic compounds and triterpenoids from R. macrophyllus Desf. fractions. The antioxidant activity was estimated using the phosphomolebdenum, DPPH, reducing power and ß-carotene bleaching assays. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts were screened for their anti-inflammatory activities using ex-vivo membrane stabilizing assays and in-vivo acute skin inflammation model. RESULTS: Ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest amounts of total phenolic compounds (413 ± 4 µg GAE/mg extract) and triterpenoids (70.4 ± 1.8 µg UAE/mg extract). Rutin, hesperidin, myricetin and kaempferol were the major compounds identified in the different fractions. Ethyl acetate fraction exhibited strong DPPH• radical scavenging ability (IC50 1.6 ± 0.2 µg/mL), high total antioxidant capacity (447 ± 7 µg AAE/mg extract) and reducing power (514 ± 8 µg AAE/mg extract). Ethyl acetate fraction inhibited (73.4 ± 0.3) % of linoleic acid peroxidation. Ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions did not have any visible toxicity at 2000 mg/kg and presented excellent membrane stabilizing ability. The inhibition of xylene induced ear inflammation was (38 ± 4) % and (46 ± 1) % for RM-B and RM-EA, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high content of both phenolic compounds and triterpenoids combined with the remarkable anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant activity of ethyl acetate and n-butanol extracts from R. macrophyllus Desf. support the wide spread use of this traditional plant on some skin disorders (inflammatory skin disorders).

Ranunculus bulumei Methanol Extract Exerts Anti-Inflammatory Activity by Targeting Src/Syk in NF-κB Signaling.

(1) Background: Ranunculus bulumei is a flowering plant that belongs to the Ranunculus species. Several Ranunculus species, such as R. aquatilis and R. muricatus, have traditionally been used to treat fever and rheumatism throughout Asia, suggesting that plants belonging to the Ranunculus species may have anti-inflammatory effects. To our knowledge, the pharmacological activity of R. bulumei has not been reported. Therefore, in this study, we aim to assess the anti-inflammatory activity of a methanol extract that was derived from R. bulumei (Rb-ME) in macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses and to identify the molecular mechanism that underlies any anti-inflammatory action. (2) Methods: The anti-inflammatory efficacy of Rb-ME was evaluated while using in vitro and in vivo experiments. The RAW264.7 cells and peritoneal macrophages were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In addition, LPS-induced peritonitis and HCl/EtOH-triggered gastritis models were produced. A nitric oxide (NO) assay, real-time PCR, luciferase reporter gene assay, western blot analysis, plasmid overexpression strategy, and in vitro kinase assay were used to determine the molecular mechanisms and target molecules of Rb-ME. The phytochemical active ingredients of Rb-ME were also identified by high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC). (3) Results: Rb-ME reduced the production of NO and mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2, IL-1ß, and IL-6 without cytotoxicity. The protein secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 was also decreased by Rb-ME. HPLC analysis indicates that quercetin, luteolin, and kaempferol are the main active ingredients in the anti-inflammatory efficacy of Rb-ME. Rb-ME also blocked MyD88-induced NF-κB promoter activity and nuclear translocation of NF-κB subunits (p65 and p50). Moreover, Rb-ME reduced the phosphorylation of IκBα, Akt, p85, Src, and Syk, which are NF-κB upstream signaling molecules in LPS-activated RAW264.7 cells. According to the in vitro kinase assay, Rb-ME directly inhibits Syk kinase activity. The oral administration of Rb-ME alleviated inflammatory responses and the levels of p-IκBα in mice with LPS-induced peritonitis and HCl/EtOH-induced gastritis. (4) Conclusions Rb-ME has anti-inflammatory capacity by suppressing NF-κB signaling and it has been found to target Src and Syk in the NF-κB pathway. Based on this efficacy, Rb-ME could be developed as an anti-inflammatory herbal medicine.

Blood pressure lowering effects of Ranunculus scleratus Linn. in normal and fructose induced hypertensive rats and estimation of underlying mechanisms.

Ranunculus scleratus Linn. is used in folk medicine to treat hypertension. This study was aimed at providing validation to its traditional use and to explore underlying mechanisms of action. Effects of hydro-ethanolic crude extract of the plant and its fractions on blood pressure was evaluated using direct surgical method in normotensive and in fructose induced hypertensive rats. Various doses of crude extract, RSC, (5, 10, 20, 30mg/kg) and all fractions (3, 5, 10, 20mg/kg) were studied. Results suggested that aqueous fraction of R. scleratus (RSA) produced most pronounced effects at 10mg/kg in normotensive and at 20mg/kg in hypertensive animals. Underlying mechanisms, using various pharmacological antagonists were also elucidated. Results suggested the involvement of muscarinic receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition, ganglionic block and nitric oxide (NO) release in presenting hypotensive response.

Phytochemical components, total phenol and mineral contents and antioxidant activity of six major medicinal plants from Rayen, Iran.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the phytochemical components, minerals, the antioxidant activity and total phenol contents of the essential oil from aerial parts of six major medicinal plants in Rayen, Iran. The plants included Ranunculus arvensis, Teucrium polium, Dracocephalum polychaetum, Kelussia odoratissima, Artemisia sieberi and Thymus kotschyanus. Total phenol content ranged from 0.03 to 0.158 mg/mL. A. sieberi showed the highest radical scavenging ability (IC50 = 94 µg/mL). The amount of minerals ranged as follows: P (0.23-29%), K (1.08-4.76%), Ca (0.78-2.35%), Mg (0.24-0.94%), Cu (8.3-15 mg/kg), Cd (0.7-1.1 mg/kg), Pb (2-11.7 mg/kg) and Fe (250-1280 mg/kg). A total of 79 compounds were identified across all plants. The main components studied in the plants were l-perillaldehyde, biosol, carvacrol, 1,8-cineol, terpinyl acetate and 1,2,3,6,7,7 a-hexahydro-5 h-inden 5-one.

Semisynthesis and Kappa-Opioid Receptor Activity of Derivatives of Columbin, a Furanolactone Diterpene.

Columbin (1) is a furanolactone diterpene isolated from the roots of Jateorhiza and Tinospora species. These species generally grow in Asia and Africa and have been used in folk medicine for their apparent analgesic and antipyretic activities. Columbin (1) is of particular interest due to its structural similarity to the known kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) agonist salvinorin A. Given that the KOR is of interest in the study of many serious diseases, such as anxiety, depression, and drug addiction, obtaining natural or semisynthetic molecules with KOR activity recently has gained much interest. For this reason, in the present study, derivatives of 1 were designed and synthesized using known structure-activity relationships of salvinorin A at KORs. The structures of the columbin analogues prepared were elucidated by NMR spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy, and their KOR activity was investigated in vitro by inhibition of forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation. Slight improvements in KOR activity were observed in columbin derivatives over their parent compound. However, despite the structural similarities to salvinorin A, neither columbin (1) nor its derivatives were potent KOR ligands. This work represents not only the first evaluation of columbin (1) at the KOR but also one of the first works to explore synthetic strategies that are tolerated on the columbin core.

A new glycosidic antioxidant from Ranunculus muricatus L. (Ranunculaceae) exhibited lipoxygenasae and xanthine oxidase inhibition properties.

Phytochemical investigation of Ranunculus muricatus L. (Ranunculaceae) led to the isolation of a new metabolite named as ranuncoside from the ethyl acetate fraction of the plant. Structure of the novel compound was elucidated through detailed spectroscopic analyses, using UV, IR, 1H, 13C NMR and 2D NMR in combination with EIMS and HR EI-MS techniques. The compound was evaluated for antioxidant activity using the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Its inhibitory potential was tested against lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase enzymes. Ranuncoside potently scavenged the DPPH free radicals (IC50 = 56.7 ± 0.43 µM) and strongly inhibited the activities of lipoxygenase (IC50 = 63.9 ± 0.17 µM) and xanthine oxidase (IC50 = 43.3 ± 0.22 µM).

Chemical and biological evaluation of Ranunculus muricatus.

Ranunculus muricatus is commonly known as spiny fruit buttercup and is used in the treatment of intermittent fevers, gout and asthma. Qualitative analysis of phytochemicals of Ranunculus muricatus indicated the presence of saponins, tannins, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids. Saponins were present in high amount as compared with other chemicals. Inorganic and heavy metals constituents were determined. Heavy metals estimation in the sample showed that iron was present in high amount followed by zinc even then the concentration of these metals is below acceptable limit. The physical parameters, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were determined. Acetone extract fraction showed optimal antioxidant activity as compared to ethanol and chloroform fractions of the candidate plant. The antimicrobial and antifungal activities of the crude extract and extract fractions were determined by well agar diffusion method. Highest zone of inhibitions were observed for crude extract followed by acetone extract fraction against Micrococcus luteus. Antifungal activities were high for crude extracts against Candida Albican. Findings of this study show that Ranunculus muricatus has a good medicinal impact.

PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND CARDIOTONIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF RANUNCULUS MURICATUS LINN. IN ISOLATED RABBIT HEART.

Ranunculus muricatus Linn. (RML) have been traditionally used for the treatment of various cardiovascular disorders. The aim of present study was to evaluate their cardiovascular effects in isolated perfused rabbit heart. The methanolic extract of RML was prepared by cold maceration process. The methanolic extract of RML (1 ng to 10 mg) was used to determine the percentage change in force of contraction (FC), heart rate (HR) and perfusion pressure (PP) by using Langendorff's Perfused Heart Apparatus. The PP, FC and HR of isolated rabbit heart were measured by power lab data acquisition system. Moreover, phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity study were also performed. The methanolic extract at the doses from I ng to 10 mg exhibited a significant increase in perfusion pressure and force of contraction. Moreover, the crude extract of RML revealed a significant increase in heart rate at doses from 1 ng to µg. The maximum rise in all the thee parameters was observed at 1 µg and 1 ng, respectively In another study, the melhanoliC extract was tested in the presence of propranolol and verapamil on isolated perfused rabbit heart. The study shown that the increase in HR and FC produced by the plant extracts was significantly reduced in the presence of propranolol whereas PP remained significantly raised even in the presence of propranolol. However, in the presence of verapamil, this increased PP was significantly reversed to a decrease while a significant positive inotropic and chronotropic effects were observed. It is concluded that the cardiotonic activity of methanolic extract of RML might be due certain cardio active chemical compounds. Further studies are needed to isolate these pharmacologically active phytochemical constituents and elucidate their exact mechanism of action.

New Ent-Kaurane-Type Diterpene Glycosides and Benzophenone from Ranunculus muricatus Linn.

Two new ent-kaurane diterpene glycosides, ranunculosides A (1) and B (2), and a new benzophenone, ranunculone C (3), were isolated from the aerial part of Ranunculus muricatus Linn. The chemical structures of compounds 1-3 were established to be (2S)-ent-kauran-2ß-ol-15-en-14-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, (2S,4S)-ent-kauran-2ß,18-diol-15-en-14-O-ß-d-glucopyranoside, and (R)-3-[2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dihydroxy-phenyl]-2-hydroxylpropanoic acid, respectively, by spectroscopic data and chemical methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by the combinational application of RP-HPLC analysis and Mosher's method.

Antioxidant and phytochemical analysis of Ranunculus arvensis L. extracts.

BACKGROUND: Ranunculus arvensis L. (R. arvensis) has long been used to treat a variety of medical conditions such as arthritis, asthma, hay fever, rheumatism, psoriasis, gut diseases and rheumatic pain. Here, we screened R. arvensis for antioxidant activity, phytochemical and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses. METHODS: The chloroform, chloroform:methanol, methanol, methanol:acetone, acetone, methanol:water and water extracts of R. arvensis were examined for DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay, hydrogen peroxide scavenging assay, phosphomolybdenum assay, reducing power assay, flavonoid content, phenolic content and high performance liquid chromatography analysis. RESULTS: Significant antioxidant activity was displayed by methanol extract (IC 50 34.71 ± 0.02) in DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Total flavonoids and phenolics ranged 0.96-6.0 mg/g of extract calculated as rutin equivalent and 0.48-1.43 mg/g of extract calculated as gallic acid equivalent respectively. Significant value of rutin and caffeic acid was observed via high performance liquid chromatography. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that extracts of R. arvensis exhibited significant antioxidant activities. Moreover, R. arvensis is a rich source of rutin, flavonoids and phenolics.

Characteristic Chemical Components and Aroma-active Compounds of the Essential Oils from Ranunculus nipponicus var. submersus Used in Japanese Traditional Food.

Ranunculus nipponicus var. submersus is an aquatic macrophyte; it is known as a wild edible plant in Japan for a long time. In this study, the essential oils from the fresh and dried aerial parts of R. nipponicus var. submersus were extracted by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Moreover, important aroma-active compounds were also detected in the oil using GC-olfactometry (GC-O) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA). Thus, 98 compounds (accounting for 93.86%) of the oil were identified. The major compounds in fresh plant oil were phytol (41.94%), heptadecane (5.92%), and geranyl propionate (5.76%), while those of. Dried plant oil were ß-ionone (23.54%), 2-hexenal (8.75%), and dihydrobovolide (4.81%). The fresh and dried oils had the green-floral and citrus-floral odor, respectively. The GC-O and AEDA results show that phenylacetaldehyde (green, floral odor, FD-factor = 8) and ß-ionone (violet-floral odor, FD-factor = 8) were the most characteristic odor compounds of the fresh oils. ß-Cyclocitral (citrus odor, FD-factor = 64) and ß-ionone (violet-floral odor, FD-factor = 64) were the most characteristic odor compounds of the dried oil. These compounds are thought to contribute to the flavor of R. nipponicus var. submersus.

Pollen mixing in pollen generalist solitary bees: a possible strategy to complement or mitigate unfavourable pollen properties?

Generalist herbivorous insects, which feed on plant tissue that is nutritionally heterogeneous or varies in its content of secondary metabolites, often benefit from dietary mixing through more balanced nutrient intake or reduced exposure to harmful secondary metabolites. Pollen is similarly heterogeneous as other plant tissue in its content of primary and secondary metabolites, suggesting that providing their offspring with mixed pollen diets might be a promising strategy for pollen generalist bees to complement nutrient imbalances or to mitigate harmful secondary metabolites of unfavourable pollen. In the present study, we compared larval performance of the pollen generalist solitary bee species Osmia cornuta (Megachilidae) on five experimental pollen diets that consisted of different proportions of unfavourable pollen diet of Ranunculus acris (Ranunculaceae) and favourable pollen diet of Sinapis arvensis (Brassicaceae). In addition, we microscopically analysed the pollen contained in the scopal brushes of field-collected females of O. cornuta and three closely related species to elucidate to what degree these pollen generalist bees mix pollen of different hosts in their brood cells. In striking contrast to a pure Ranunculus pollen diet, which had a lethal effect on most developing larvae of O. cornuta, larval survival, larval development time and adult body mass of both males and females remained nearly unaffected by the admixture of up to 50% of Ranunculus pollen diet to the larval food. Between 42% and 66% of all female scopal pollen loads analysed contained mixtures of pollen from two to six plant families, indicating that pollen mixing is a common behaviour in O. cornuta and the three related bee species. The present study provides the first evidence that the larvae of pollen generalist bees can benefit from the nutrient content of unfavourable pollen without being negatively affected by its unfavourable chemical properties if such pollen is mixed with favourable pollen. We conclude that the widespread pollen mixing by females of pollen generalist bees should also be considered as a possible strategy to exploit flowers with unfavourable pollen and to optimize larval food quality.

Inhibitory effect of saponins and polysaccharides from Radix ranunculi ternati on human gastric cancer BGC823 cells.

The effects of different Radix ranunculi ternati extracts on human gastric cancer BGC823 cells were investigated, different methods were used to extract the saponins and polysaccharides from Radix ranunculi ternati, and MTT assay and colony formation assay were used to observe the effects of saponins and polysaccharides from Radix ranunculi ternati on in-vitro cultured human gastric cancer BGC823 cells. The results found that the saponins and polysaccharides from Radix Ranunculi Ternati had certain effects on both the growth and colony formation of human gastric cancer BGC823 cells, while improving the immune function of normal mice, of which saponins had more significant effects than polysaccharides.

Chemical constituents from the roots of Ranunculus ternatus and their inhibitory effects on Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Two new benzophenones, methyl (R)-3-[2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxypropanoate (1) and n-butyl (R)-3-[2-(3,4-dihydroxybenzoyl)-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl]-2-hydroxypropanoate (2), were isolated from the roots of Ranunculus ternatus along with the two known compounds vanillic acid (3) and gallic acid (4). Their structures were elucidated by physical and spectroscopic analysis. In addition, compound 1 exhibited obvious activity against tuberculosis, while the activity of a 1:1 mixture of compound 1 plus 4 is better than that of 1 alone.

Ternatusine A, a new pyrrole derivative with an epoxyoxepino ring from Ranunculus ternatus.

Ternatusine A (1), a novel alkaloid with an unprecedented epoxyoxepino[4,5-c] pyrrole ring, was isolated from the roots of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. Its unusual structure, including its absolute stereochemistry, was determined using UV, IR, HRESIMS, and 1D and 2D NMR data and through comparison of the experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra. A possible biosynthetic pathway for ternatusine A was postulated.

[Analysis of flavonoids and components of stems & leaves of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole tandem time of flight mass spectrometry].

In order to explore the applications of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) technology in the rapid identification of components of Chinese herbal medicines and natural products, reference flavones were used as precursors, and the stems and leaves of medicinal plant Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. were used as the objects. Ultra performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector-electrospray ionization quadrupole tandem time of flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/DAD-ESI/Q-TOF MS) was also used to analyse the characteristics of flavonoid homologues and flavonoid isomers. The results showed that ultraviolet (UV) absorption and MS/MS spectra of C-glycosyl were distinct from O-glycosyl. There was also a correlation between glycosidation positions and the retention times, MS/MS fragments and their relative abundances. When applied it to analyse the alcohol extract of stems and leaves of Ranunculus ternatus Thunb. and their acid hydrolysis solution, 22 flavonol glycosides and 3 flavonoid aglycones were identified. The method is simple, convenient and exercisable.