Constituents of Pholidota cantonensis Rolfe

Pholidota cantonensis Rolfe (PC), a medicinal plant, is a Chinese folk herbal medicine with a long history of safe use for treating sore throat, tonsillitis, cough phlegm asthma, pneumonia, acute soft-tissue trauma and arthritis [1-2]. Modern research results show that Genus Pholidota has many active functions, such as antitumor, DPPH free radical, nitric oxide inhibition, anti-inflammation, cytotoxicity. Previous phytochemical studies reported stilbenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, lignans, phenanthrene, oxepine, and phenolic compounds in this genus [3]. However, as for PC, one of the typical species in South China, the relevant chemical and pharmacological studies are limited. Studies have been conducted on the active components leading to the antibacterial effects on the herb. Several compounds including cycloartanes and phenolic were isolated and characterized through spectroscopic techniques.

Acknowledgements: Support from China Scholarship Council (2011/5025), Aid program for Science and Technology Innovative Research Team in Higher Educational Institutions of Hunan Province (Grant No.2010/212), and support from the state Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Hunan Province (Grant No. 201260). The partial support from the United States Food and Drug Administration (Grant No. 5U01FD004246) is acknowledged. References: [1] Yi Q-F, Xing F-W, et al. (2004) Journal of South China Agricultural University, 25(3): 94 – 97. [2] Qu X-Y, Qin S-Y, Yang D-Q (2006) China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, 31(2): 110 – 113. [3] Bandi AKR, Lee D-U (2011) Chemistry & Biodiversity, 8(8): 1400 – 1409.