Planta Med 2008; 74(1): 43-49
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-993759
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparative Analysis of Bioactivities of Four Polygonum Species

Wu-Yang Huang1 , Yi-Zhong Cai1 , Jie Xing2 , Harold Corke1 , Mei Sun1
  • 1School of Biological Sciences, the University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, P.R. China
  • 2Republic Polytechnic, Woodlands Ave 9, Singapore
Further Information

Publication History

Received: April 9, 2007 Revised: October 21, 2007

Accepted: November 2, 2007

Publication Date:
07 December 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Many species of Polygonum are rich in bioactive constituents, which contribute to a wide range of medicinal properties. In this study, we assessed the scavenging activity against ABTS· + and hydroxyl radicals, chelating activity against Fe2+, xanthine oxidase inhibition, antimicrobial activity, and total contents of phenolics and flavonoids in the extracts of leaves and stems or whole plants from four medicinal Polygonum species. Total antioxidant capacities and phenolic contents of Polygonum capitatum, Polygonum chinensis, Polygonum cuspidatum, and Polygonum multiflorum were 74.60, 53.66, 56.22, and 14.34 mmol trolox/100 g dry weight (DW), and 8.69, 4.15, 6.33, and 1.27 g gallic acid/100 g DW, respectively, significantly higher than those of five dietary vegetables, fruits and spices (spring onion, broccoli, orange, carrot, and ginger). Major bioactive constituents in the tested plant extracts were also investigated using LC-MS. They were mainly phenolic compounds, e. g., flavonoids, phenolic acids and their derivatives, tannins, stilbenes, and anthraquinones. This study shows that, in addition to their roots, the leaves and stems of P. cuspidatum and P. capitatum also exhibit potent antioxidant properties and are a potential resource of natural bioactive antioxidants.