Skip to main content

Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants in genus Hedysarum

Abstract

In China, several species (Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz., Hedysarum limprichtii Hlbr., Hedysarum vicioider Turcz. var. Taipeicum Hand.-Mazz. Liu, Hedysarum smithianum, et al.) of genus Hedysarum have a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). In TCM, these plants are used to increase the energy of the body. To date, 155 compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, lignanoids, nitrogen compounds, sterols, carbohydrates, fatty compounds, and benzofuran, have been isolated from plants of the genus Hedysarum. Various chemical constituents contribute to the antioxidant, anti-tumor, anti-aging, anti-diabetic, and anti-hypertensive properties of these plants. Hedysarum species are used to treat infestation with gastrointestinal nematodes and may support the immune system and peripheral nervous system. In the present review, we summarize the research on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of Hedysarum species, which will be useful for better utilization of these important species in TCM.

Review

Introduction

Hedysarum is a genus of the family Fabaceae that consists of about 300 species of annual and perennial herbs. Hedysarum species are widely distributed in the temperate northern hemisphere, including Asia, Europe, North Africa, and North America. In China, 42 Hedysarum species are native and their center of distribution is in northwestern and southwestern China, most notably the Hengduan Mountain region [1]. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used in China for hundreds of years and continues to play an important role in clinical application. Many species of genus Hedysarum, such as Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz., Hedysarum limprichtii Hlbr., Hedysarum vicioider Turcz. var. Taipeicum Hand.-Mazz. Liu, and Hedysarum smithianum have been employed in TCM to strengthen the immune system and improve the energy of the body. The root of H. polybotrys, which is commonly known as “Hongqi” or “Radix Hedysari” is an important component of various TCM formulas. H. polybotrys was recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010 [2]. The traditional curative functions of Hongqi are to invigorate “Qi”, increase urination, and promote tissue regeneration [2]. Biological studies have shown that Hongqi, which contains a large quantity of polysaccharides, has anti-aging, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic activity. Hongqi is reported to have great potential for use in modern health food and plant cosmetics [15]. The phytochemistry and pharmacology of Hedysarum species have attracted increasing worldwide attention among those involved in the research and development of new drugs. In the present review, we summarize and list all of the secondary metabolites that have been identified in plants of genus Hedysarum over the past few decades. We also consider the pharmacological activity of Hedysarum species, which will be useful for better utilization of the important Hedysarum species in TCM formulas.

Chemical constituents

Over the past few decades, 155 chemical constituents have been isolated from plants of genus Hedysarum through different chromatography methods and were identified by the spectrum of 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 2D-NMR, HR/MS, et al. [35]. The chemical structures of these constituents include flavonoids (1–79), triterpenes and triterpenoid saponins (80–91), coumarins (92–103), lignanoids (104–105), nitrogen compounds (106–112), sterols (113–117), carbohydrates (118–123), fatty compounds (124–135), benzofuran (136–145), and others (147–155). The names and corresponding plant resources are compiled in Table 1 and the chemical structures are described in Additional file 1. In recent years, some polysaccharides were isolated from the species of genus Hedysarum by aqueous extract followed by precipitation with ethanol. The homogeneous polysaccharide was obtained after treated with Savage method and H2O2, and purified with and Sephadex G-200 gel filtration chromatography. Then GC, HPGC, GPC-MALLS, elemental analyzer, phenol sulfuric acid method and Bradford method were used to study the physicochemical property of the polysaccharides [6].

Table 1 155 compounds of the genus Hedysarum

Among the important chemical constituents, flavonoids are usually regarded as the main groups of metabolites and quality control markers in genus Hedysarum. Polysaccharides with perfect pharmacological activities are important research direction in future.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are a large group of polyphenolic compounds found in genus Hedysarum. So far, 79 flavonoids (flavones, flavonones, isoflavones, chalcones, flavanols, xanthones, and pterocarpans) have been identified and categorized based on chemical structure. Flavones are the most common and predominant flavonoids in genus Hedysarum. To date, 21 flavones (1–21) and three flavonones (22–24) have been isolated from plants of genus Hedysarum[7, 8, 1012, 14, 16, 18, 20]. The flavonones are naringin and naringin-type’s derivatives and are mainly distributed in H. multijugum and H. polybotrys. Isoflavones are ubiquitous secondary metabolites in genus Hedysarum. So far, 31 isoflavones (25–55) have been isolated from plants in this genus. H. polybotrys, H. multijugum, and H. scorparium have particularly high concentrations of isoflavones [1921, 24, 2830, 3235]. Four chalcones (56–59) have been isolated from Hedysarum species. Isoliquiritigenin (56) was isolated from H. polybotrys, while compounds (57–59) were obtained from H. gmelinii[21, 36]. Five flavanols (60–64) have been identified in genus Hedysarum species. All these compounds were found in H. theinum and H. kirghisorum[22, 23]. Four xanthones (65–68) have been identified plants of genus Hedysarum. Mangiferin (65) was found in H. aericeum, H. havescen, H. denticulatum, H. komarovii, H. sachalinense, H. neglectum, H. connatum, and H. alpinum. Isomangiferin (66) was obtained from H. havescen, H. denticulatum, H. connatum, and H. alpinum. Glucomangiferin (67) and glucoisomangiferin (68) were isolated from H. flavescents[15, 3739]. Eleven pterocarpans (69–79) have been isolated and identified from genus Hedysarum[41, 42]. These structures can be classified as isoflavones.

Although most species of genus Hedysarum contained different kinds of flavonoids, but the types and contents of flavonoids showed differences among species. For example, content of mangiferin and sum of xanthones in the leaves of 7 species (H. alpinum, H. flavescens, H. austrosibiricum, H. neglectum, H. theinum, H. gmelinii and H. tschuense), growing on the forest-steppe zone of Western Siberia (Novosibirsk) and in natural populations Republic Altai and Northern Kazakhstan was studied. The greatest amount of mangiferin and the sum of xanthones was revealed in leaves of H. alpinum and H. flavescens (to 4.3 and 6.0%). H. austrosibiricum, H. neglectum and H. theinum contained almost twice less than them. H. gmelinii contained about 1.0%. Xanthones were absent in leaves of H. tschuense. Cultivated plants synthesize more xanthones, than wild-growing [55]. Five major flavonoids in 48 batches of Radix Hedysari from different origins were simultaneously evaluated by HPLC. Among the 5 major flavonoids, ononin, formononetin-7-O-β-D- glucopyranoside-6″-O-malonate, formononetin and medicarpin, were detected in almost all the samples and thus can be used as marker compounds to evaluate the quality of Radix Hedysari, while naringin was not detected in most samples. Further analysis of the contents of the 4 flavonoids in different samples showed that processing procedure, harvesting time and habitats were important factors affecting the flavonoid contents of Radix Hedysari [19].

Triterpenoids

Twelve triterpenoids (80–91) were isolated from plants of genus Hedysarum, most of which were distributed in H. polybotrys[9, 17, 44, 45, 47, 48].

Coumarins

Twelve coumarins have so far been isolated from this genus. Compounds 92–102 were obtained from H. multijugum, while 3,9-dihydroxy coumestan (103) was isolated from H. gmelinii[9, 30, 49].

Lignanoids

Only 2 lignanoids have been identified from Hedysarum species: syringaresinol (104) from H. polybotrys and isolariciresinyl-9′-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (105) from H. setigerum[27, 50].

Nitrogen compounds

Five alkaloids (106–110) and 2 amino acids (111–112) have been isolated from the genus [25, 40, 50].

Sterols

The sterols found in genus Hedysarum include stigmasterol (113), daucosterol (114), sitosterol (115), and 2 derivations of sitosterol (116 and 117) [28, 29].

Carbohydrates

There are 6 carbohydrates that have been isolated from Hedysarum species. Five of these carbohydrates were isolated from H. polybotrys, including rhamnose (118), arabinose (119), xylose (120), galactose (121), and glucose (122). Sucrose (123) was obtained from H. polybotrys, H. taipeicum, H. austrosibiricum, and H. sikkimense[56, 57].

Fatty compounds

Twelve fatty compounds, including seven fatty acids (124, 125, 128–131, 134), 3 fatty alcohols (127, 132, 135), and 2 others (126, 133) have been identified in plants of genus Hedysarum[26, 43].

Benzofurans and benzene derivatizations

Ten benzofurans have been found in genus Hedysarum. Compounds 136–143 were isolated from H. multijugum. Compounds 144 and 145 were obtained from H. polybotrys. About 10 (146–155) have been obtained from Hedysarum species [5254].

Polysaccharides and condensed tannins

HPS4-1A is a new neutral heteropolysaccharide from H. polybotrys. The absolute and relative molecular weight of HPS4-1A was 7.386×104 and above 6.68×105, respectively. It was consisted of L-rhamnose, L-arabinose, D-glucose and D-galactose (1:2:1:2). HPS4-1A was proved to be a neutral sugar, with 1,6- and 1,2,6-α-D-galactopyranosyl and 1,5- and 1,3,5-α-L-arabinofuranosyl residues in backbone, and 1,4- and 1,4,6-α-D-glucopyranosyl and 1,2- and 1,2,4-α-L- rhamnofuranosyl residues in branches. Arabinose mainly connected the end of backbone, and glucose and a small quantity of arabinose mainly connected the end of branches. HPS4-1A has a random coil state conformation with monodisperse mass distribution [6].

Water soluble sulfated glucan (SHG) was isolated from H. polybotrys using anion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatogram. Elemental analysis indicated that SHG was a sulfated polysaccharide with small amount of sulfate groups (1.47%). The molecular weight was 1.72 × 105 Da. Compositional analysis revealed that SHG was composed of glucose only. SHG was composed of α-D-(1→4)-linked glucopyranosyl residues, with branches at C-6 consisting of non-reducing terminal approximately every eight residues. Sulfate groups may attach to the backbone at O-6, occasionally occurring per thirty-eight anhydrous glucose units [58].

The chemical characteristics of the purified condensed tannin fractions were studied by acid-catalyzed degradation with benzyl mercaptan and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Thiolysis revealed that epigallocatechin was the major extender unit (15-75%) while gallocatechin was the major terminal unit (50-66%), thus indicating the extractable sulla condensed tannin fraction as the prodelphinidin type [59].

Pharmacological activities

The species of genus Hedysarum, such as Hongqi (Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz.), showed pharmacological activity in modern experiments and are potential antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-tumor, immune system regulatory, and anti-diabetic agents.

Antioxidant activity

Free radicals are formed by various environmental chemicals and the endogenous metabolism of plants. With the development of biomedical science, the involvement of free radicals in many diseases, such as brain dysfunction, cancer, and heart disease, has become well known. Antioxidant substances that fight free radicals have a crucial role in human health. Some of the chemicals extracted from plants of genus Hedysarum are reported to possess strong antioxidant properties. For example, polysaccharide HPS-3 from the radix of H. polybotrys (Hedysari, Hongqi) showed antioxidant activity in superoxide anion (O2-), hydroxyl radical (·OH), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical-scavenging, and H2O2 assays. At concentrations of 0.05 to 5.00 mg/mL, the maximum removal efficiency for O2-, H2O2,·OH, and DPPH were 55.92%, 59.32%, 53.69%, and 87.66%, respectively. The effects were concentration dependent [60].

Compound 27, isolated from H. polybotrys, can improve the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells and H2O2-injured DJ-1 gene-transfected SH-SY5Y cells, as indicated by the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The addition of compound 27 (20 mg/L) more obviously improved the cell viability for DJ-1 gene transfected SH-SY5Y cells (cell viability of 91%) than the normal SH-SY5Y cells (cell viability of 83%). This indicates that compound 27 had a protective effect against the oxidative damage induced by hydrogen peroxide [18].

Anti-aging activity

Aging is a natural process. Anti-aging compounds can suppress and retard the aging process of the body. A polysaccharide found in H. polybotrys (HPS) can prompt protein synthesis by affecting cellular RNA content, thereby repairing cell dysfunction caused by aging and other reasons [61]. HPS directly clears lipid peroxides (LPO) and significantly improve the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of rabbit aorta smooth muscle cells (SMC), to a greater degree than a positive control, VE. Moreover, there is a significant improvement of SOD content in the erythrocytes of aged rats, which indicates that the anti-aging activity of HPS in aged rats is due to activation of antioxidases [62]. Aqueous extracts of H. austrosibiricum from Xinjiang province significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of liver and brain tissues of aging mice after induction by d-galactose. These extracts also markedly increased the activities of SOD and glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px). In addition, monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity in the brain tissue decreased and the spleen and thymus indexes were elevated after treatment with the aqueous extract. H. austrosibiricum showed anti-aging activity by eliminating free radicals and activating antioxidases [63].

Immune system regulation activity

The immune system finds and removes foreign pathogenic microorganisms that cause fluctuations in the internal environment of the body. A polysaccharide from H. polybotrys (HPS) has obvious protective effects on the immune system that are similar to Astragalus membranaceus polysaccharide (APS). Both HPS and APS can increase the celiac macrophage phagocytic function of mice and correct inhibition of cell-mediated immunity caused by cyclophnosphamide (CY) and PDS. HPS and APS also improve lymphocyte transformation in vivo and significantly increase the concentration of phenol acetate esterase-positive (ANAE) lymphocytes in the fluid sampled [64]. HPS enhances humoral and cellular immune function. The lymphocyte proliferation rate in vivo was remarkably increased (P < 0.001) and inhibition of CY was completely corrected (P < 0.001) by HPS (0.5 g/kg) [65].

RHTS (total saponins extracted from H. polybotrys) obviously improved immune function suppressed by CY. The index for the function of the thymus and the spleen were increased. The phagocytic index and phagocytic percentage of intraperitoneal macrophages were significantly increased (P < 0. 05). CaM levels in cells of thymocytes, erythrocytes, and macrophages showed obvious correlation with immune function, which suggests that the Ca2+-CaM signal system plays an important role in the immune cell activation process [66]. Aqueous extracts of H. polybotrys and A. membranaceus intensify the functions of normal macrophages and those treated with 10 ng/mL LPS, as indicated by NO released by the cells. The activities of H. polybotrys and A. membranaceus ethanol extracts were not better than those of the aqueous extracts [67].

The regulating effects of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice were compared. The immunosuppressed mouse model was induced by cyclophosphamide. The mice were administered intragastically with the same dose of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative the formula Buzhong Yiqi Yangxue, Yupingfeng oral liquid and Fuqi Zhihan granules for antagonistic experiments in vivo. Spleen index, HC50, CD19+ B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL-4 were detected after treatment. Both groups of Hedyseri Radix and Astragali Radix could antagonize immunosuppressive action caused by cyclophosphamide. They both could significantly raise spleen index, HC50, CD19+ B lymphocyte subgroup and content of serum IL-4 in different degree. Yupingfeng water extraction of Hedysari Radix substitute Astragali Radix was better than Yupingfeng oral liquid in raising spleen index. There were no significant differences among the rest Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative groups. Hedysari Radix compatibility with other drugs compared with original prescription has similar role in humoral immunity regulation [68].

Anti-tumor activity

Malignant tumors (cancer) are among the leading causes of death. The main bioactive chemicals found in plants of genus Hedysarum play an important role in the prevention of several tumor cell types. MTT assays revealed that HPS-1 that was obtained from the roots of H. polybotrys significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatocellular carcinoma HEP-G2 cells and human gastric cancer MGC-803 cells in vitro. At concentrations from 50 to 400 μg/mL, HPS-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HEP-G2 cells (P < 0.05) in a concentration-dependent manner. At 400 μg/mL, HPS-1 had an inhibition ratio of 40.0%. However, although HPS-1 also significantly suppressed MGC-803 cells (P < 0.05), there was no clear relationship between the concentration of HPS-1 and its effects. These results indicate that HPS-1 has potential for cancer therapy [69]. In addition, the cytotoxicity of the purified compounds against human cancer cell line HepG2 was evaluated using the MTT method. Compound 78 showed inhibitory activity on HepG2 with IC50 values of 10.69 μmol/L [27].

Anti-diabetic properties

HPS is the principal active fraction responsible for the anti-diabetic properties of H. polybotrys. In ones study of the hypoglycemic activity of HPS, crude HPS was isolated, purified, and divided into 4 fractions of different molecular weight ranges. ALX treatment of mice produced a significant increase in fasting hyperglycemia, which was counteracted by treatment with HPS1, HPS3, and HPS4. A dose of 200 mg/kg HPS3 caused the maximum reduction in blood glucose level (56% at 12 days of HPS3 administration) and this effect was greater than that of the oral hypoglycemic agent metformin. Plasma insulin concentration and ISI were significantly higher in the HPS3-treated mice than in mice of the diabetes mellitus (DM) model control group. Moreover, HPS3 inhibited the secretion of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), leptin, and free fatty acid (FFA) levels by improving insulin secretion, promoting glucose uptake, suppressing gluconeogenic precursors, and decreasing glucose oxidation and output. Thus, HPS3 improved insulin resistance in diabetic mice. The beneficial effects of HPS3 also included the reduction of lipid peroxidation (increased NOS and SOD activity, increased T-AOC and NO, as well as decreased MDA) in STZ-induced diabetic rats [70].

Effects on the peripheral nervous system

The effects of HPS on sciatic nerve regeneration in rats for 6 weeks following clamping of the nerve (HPS was administrated orally as 2 mL liquid daily, 0.25 g HPS/mL) were examined. HPS improved sciatic function index (SFI) values, tibial function index (TFI) values, peroneal nerve function index (PFI) values, conduction velocity, and the number of regenerated myelinated nerve fibers, suggesting the potential clinical application of HPS for the treatment of peripheral nerve injury in humans [71].

Others

H. polybotrys has significant protective effect against heart and brain hypoxia. In study of Yasuda-chiari cerebral ischemia anoxia, HPS from H. polybotrys had remarkable respiration prolonged abilities (P <0.001) as compared to the control group. At the concentration of 0, 4, and 8 mg/g for HPS, the respiration lasted 14.3 ± 3.9 s, 22.4 ± 0.9 s, and 22.8 ± 1.3 s, respectively, representing an increase of 56.7% for 4 mg/g and 59.4% for 8 mg/g. HPS also prolonged the survival time of mice with myocardial ischemia induced by isoprenaline (ISOP) [72]. In addition, H. polybotrys also exhibits tonification, growth promotion, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiviral activity [65].

Conclusions

In the literature, chemical investigations and pharmacological activity have been reported for only 21 of the 300 known Hedysarum species. However, members of Hedysarum, such as H. polybotrys and H. austrosibiricum, clearly possess significant pharmacological potential, especially in the treatment of immune disorders, cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Investigation into the chemical constituents of plants of genus Hedysarum revealed diverse compounds, including flavonoids, triterpenes, coumarins, lignanoids, nitrogen compounds, sterols, carbohydrates, fatty compounds, benzofuran, and polysaccharides. It should be emphasized that polysaccharides from H. polybotrys and H. austrosibiricum had particularly prominent immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-diabetic activity, in addition to some other biological properties. Previous studies have provided an empirical base for the medicinal use of Hedysarum species. It is important to note that the safety and toxicity of Hedysarum species have not been explored. There is no published overdose or toxicity data for these species. Therefore, the toxicities of traditional remedies and isolated chemical compounds should be further assessed.

References

  1. Chen DZ: Flora reipublicae popularis sinicae. Beijing: Science Press. 1999, 42: 180-

    Google Scholar 

  2. National Pharmacopoeia Committee: China Medical Science and Technology Press. Chinese PharmacopoeiaI. 2010, 142-

    Google Scholar 

  3. Nechepurenko IV, Polovinka MP, Komarova NI, Korchagina DV, Salakhutdinov NF, Nechepurenko SB: Low-molecular-weight phenolic compounds from Hedysarum theinum roots. Chem Nat Compd. 2008, 44: 31-34. 10.1007/s10600-008-0009-9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Liu Y, Yang JS: Studies on chemical constituents isolated from Hedysarum polybotrys. Chin Pharm J. 2005, 40: 1215-1216.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Liu Y, Zhang QY, Zhao YY, Wang B, Hai LQ, Ying YP, Chen HB: Saponins from the roots of Hedysarum polybotrys. Biochem Syst Ecol. 2007, 35: 389-391. 10.1016/j.bse.2006.12.008.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Dang ZL, Liu XH, Zhao AN, Liang JD, Liang J, Liu ZH, Feng SL: Chemical structural features and primary molecular conformation of polysaccharide HPS4-1A from Hedysarum polybotrys. Zhongcaoyao. 2013, 44: 141-146.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Wang W, Liang H, Wang B, Tu GZ, Chen HB, Zhao YY: A new natural product from the roots of Hedysarum multijugum. J Peking University(Health Sciences). 2005, 37: 532-535.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Chen SG: Master’s thesis. 2007, Studies on the chemical constituents of Hedysarum scoparium and Inula Hupehensis: Lanzhou University

    Google Scholar 

  9. Neretina OV, Fedorov SV, Gromova AS, Lutskii VI, El’kin YN: Flavonoids of Hedysarum setigerum. Chem Nat Compd. 2002, 38: 194-195. 10.1023/A:1019660619534.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Neretina OV, Gromova AS, Lutskii VI, Semenov AA, Ushakov IA, Makar’eva TN, Owen NL: Secondary metabolites from Hedysarum setigerum. Chem Nat Compd. 2004, 40: 91-92.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Glyzina GS, Komissarenko NF: The flavonoids of Hedysarum gmelini. Khim Prir Soedin. 1967, 3: 116-

    Google Scholar 

  12. Glyzina GS, Bykov VI: Phenolic compounds of Hedysarum neglectum. Khim Prir Soedin. 1969, 5: 272-

    Google Scholar 

  13. Komissarenko AN, Nadezhina TP, Komissarenko NZ: Flavonoids and xanthones of Hedysarum connatum and H. alpinum. Chem Nat Compd. 1994, 30: 521-522. 10.1007/BF00630415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Glyzin VI, Bykov VI, Glyzina GS: The phenolic compounds of Hedysarum komarovii. Khim Prir Soedin. 1968, 4: 324-

    Google Scholar 

  15. Glyzin VI, Ban’kovsii AI, Pavlova HS: Phenolic compounds of Hedysarum sachalinense and H. brandtii. Khim Prir Soedin. 1970, 6: 372-

    Google Scholar 

  16. Alaniya MD: Flavonoids of Hedysarum sericeum and H. caucasicum. Plenum publishing corporation. 1983, 19: 612-613.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Hai LQ, Xu JJ, Kai Sai-er A, Zhang X, Ma LY: Chemical constituents of Hedysanun austrosibuicum b. Fedtsch. Huaxi Yaoxue Zazhi. 2006, 21: 47-48.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Liu Y, Zhang Z, Zhang QY, Pu XP, Zhao YY: Study on chemical constituents and antioxidative activity of Radix Hedysari. China Pharm. 2010, 24: 543-549.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Liu Y, Zhao YY, Chen HB, Wang B, Zhang QY: Chemical analysis of the principal flavonoids of Radix Hedysari by HPLC. Nat Prod Commun. 2010, 5: 541-544.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Liu Y, Chen HB, Zhao YY, Wang B, Zhang QY, Zhang L, Tu PF: Quantification and stability studies on the flavonoids of Radix Hedysari. J Agr Food Chem. 2006, 54: 6634-6639. 10.1021/jf061335o.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Hai LQ, Zhang QY, Liang H, Zhao YY, Du NS: Study on chemical constituents of Hedysarum polybotrys. Acta Pharm Sinica. 2003, 38: 592-595.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Liu Y, Zhao YY, Tu GZ, Chen HB: Flavonoids of the roots of Hedysarum kirghisorum. Biochem Syst Ecol. 2005, 33: 809-812. 10.1016/j.bse.2005.01.007.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Liu Y, Chen HB, Tu GZ, Zhao YY: Studies on the constituents from the Hedysarum kirghisorum. Medicinal Plant Research and Traditional Chinese Medicine Modernization-Fourth National Symposium on Medicinal Botany and Herbal Medicine. 2004, 167-169.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Liu Y, Hai LQ, Zhao YY: Isoflavonoids from Hedysarum semenovii. Chin Pharm J. 2009, 44: 1533-1535.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Xu JJ, Hai LQ, Wang XQ, Chang JM, Zhang X: Chemical constituents of Hedysarum austrosibiricum b. Fedtsch Huaxi Yaoxue Zazhi. 2005, 20: 214-215.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Nechepurenko IV, Polovinka NP, Sal’nikova OI, Pokrovskii LM, Komarova NI, Salakhutdinov NF, Nechepurenko SB: Components of the ethylacetate extract of Hedysarum theinum roots. Chem Nat Compd. 2007, 43: 5-9. 10.1007/s10600-007-0052-y.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Li YZ, Huang J, Guo HC, Ren B: Chemical constituents from Hedysarum polybotrys and their antitumor activities. Chin Trad Herb Drugs. 2009, 40: 1195-1198.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Wang W, Chen HB, Wang WM, Zhao YY: Studies on flavoniod constituents of Hedysarum multijugum. Acta Pharm Sinica. 2002, 37: 196-198.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Wang W, Chen W, Chen HB, Liu JQ, Zhao YY: Study on chemical constituents of Hedysarum multijugum. J Peking University (Health Sciences). 2001, 33: 205-208.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Yang M, Wang W, Sun JH, Zhao YY, Liang H, Guo DA: Characterization of phenolic compounds in the crude extract of Hedysarum multijugum by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2007, 21: 3833-3841. 10.1002/rcm.3277.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Chen SG, Chen JJ, Gao K: Prenylisoflavone derivatives from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium. Chem Pharm Bull. 2007, 55: 1181-1184. 10.1248/cpb.55.1181.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Li YS, Chen JJ, Liao XR, Wang HY, Luo SD: Studies on chemical constituents of Hedysarum sikkimensevar Rigidum. Chin Trad Herb Drugs. 2001, 32: 489-490.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Nechepurenko IV, Komarova NI, Kuzovkina IN, Vdovitchenko MY, Polovinka MP, Salakhutdinov NF: Structure of oligomeric proanthocyanidines from Hedysarum thienum roots studied by thiolysis and MALDI-TOF MS. Chem Nat Compd. 2009, 45: 420-421. 10.1007/s10600-009-9327-9.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Liu Y, Zhao YY, Chen HB, Zhang QY: Isolation and structural elucidation of an unstable isoflavonoid glycoside malonate from radix hedysari. J Chin Pharm Sci. 2010, 19: 100-103.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Chen SG, Li Y, Zhao J, Gao K: Three new prenylfuranoisoflavonoids from the roots of Hedysarum scoparium. Chin J Chem. 2008, 26: 531-535. 10.1002/cjoc.200890100.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Liu Y, Chen HB, Qiao L, Zhao YY: Two new isoprenyl chalcones from Hedysarum gmelinii. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2005, 7: 723-727. 10.1080/1028602042000324925.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Rybachenko AI, Kvivut BA, Georgievkii VP: Fluorodensitometric determination of mangiferin and isomangiferin in Hedysarum flavescens and H. Alpinum. Chem Nat Compd. 1967, 12: 395-396.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Denisova OA, Glyzin VI, Rusakova SV, Pimenov MG: Xanthone C-glycosides of Hedysarum denticulatum. Chem Nat Compd. 1977, 13: 245-10.1007/BF00563966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Glyzin VI, Ban’kovsii AI, Pimenov MG, Boryaev KI: Xanthone glycosides of Hedysarum flavescens. Chem Nat Compd. 1973, 9: 409-410. 10.1007/BF00565713.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Liu Y, Hai LQ, Zhao YY, Zhang QY: Studies on the chemical constituents of Hedysarum semenovii. China Pharm. 2008, 22: 568-569.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Wang W, An DG, Chen HB, Tu GZ, Zhao YY: Two new pterocarpenes from Hedysarum multijugum. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2003, 5: 31-34. 10.1080/1028602031000080432.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Miyase T, Fukushima S, Akiyama Y: Studies on the constituents of Hedysarum polybotrys Hand-Mazz. Chem Pharm Bull. 1984, 32: 3267-3270. 10.1248/cpb.32.3267.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. Tian HY, Liu QG: A study on the chemical constituents of Hedysarum Taipeicum (Hand-Mazz) K T Fu. J Southwest Nationalities Collge Nat Sci. 1996, 22: 182-184.

    Google Scholar 

  44. Liu Y, Ma XX, Chen HB, Tu GZ, He JM, Zhao YY: Chemical constituents of Hedysarum gmelinii. J Chin Pharm Sci. 2005, 14: 75-78.

    Google Scholar 

  45. Hai LQ, Zhang QY, Wang Y, Zhao YY: Study on chemical constituents of Hedysarum polybotrys (IV). Lishizhen Med Materia Medica Res. 2006, 17: 1659-

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Liu Y, Zhang QY, Chen HB, Wang B, An DG, Zhao YY: Structural determination of saponins from Hedysarum polybotrys. Magn Reson Chem. 2006, 44: 1128-1130. 10.1002/mrc.1903.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Wang W, Hai LQ, Zhao YY, Chen HB, Wang B, Liang H: Saponins from roots of Hedysarum multijugum. China J Chin Mat Med. 2007, 32: 315-317.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Liu Y, Zhao YY, Chen HB, Wang B, Zhang QY: Structure elucidation and complete NMR spectral assignment of two triterpenoid saponins from Radix Hedysari. Fitoterapia. 2009, 80: 127-129. 10.1016/j.fitote.2008.12.001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Wang W, Zhao YY, Liang H, Jia Q, Chen HB: Coumestans from Hedysarum multijugum. J Nat Prod. 2006, 69: 876-880. 10.1021/np050233+.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. Neretina OV, Gromova AS, Lutskii VI, Semenov AA, Ushakov IA, Dmitrenok PS, Oven NL: Isolariciresinol glucoside, berberine, and phenolic acid from the aerial part of Hedysarum setigerum. Chem Nat Compd. 2004, 40: 609-610. 10.1007/s10600-005-0055-5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. Hui HP, Feng SL, Zhao LG, Shi YK, Liu XH: Purification and structure identification of HPS. LiShizhen Med Materia Medica Res. 2010, 21: 2302-2303.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Wang W, Zhao YY, Wang B, Liang H, Tu GZ, Chen HB: Two new arylbenzofurans from the roots of Hedysarum multijugum. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2007, 9: 19-22. 10.1080/10286020500289501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Zou K, Katsuko K, Zhu S: A novel compound from Hedysarum polybotrys. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2007, 9: 699-703. 10.1080/10286020600604385.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Cheng F, Zou K, Zhu S, Katsuko K: A new phenylpropionate derivative from the rhizomes of Hedysarum polybotrys. Chi J Nat Med. 2009, 7: 351-353.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Kukushkina TA, Vysochina GI, Karnaukhova NA, Selyutina IY: Content of mangiferin and total amount of xanthones in plants of some wild-growing and introduced Hedysarum (Fabaceae) species. Rastitel’nye Resursy. 2011, 47: 99-106.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Ma D, Feng SL, Zhao LG, Liu XH, Li B, Li XD, Hu FD: Purification of the radix Hedysari polysaccharide and determination of its constitution. Chin JAMP. 2008, 25: 177-179.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Hikino H, Funayama S, Endo K: Hypotensive principle of astragalus and Hedysarum roots. Planta Med. 1976, 30: 297-302. 10.1055/s-0028-1097733.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Shi YK, Zhao LG, Liu XH, Hu FD, Cui F, Bi YY, Ma YF, Feng SL: Structural characterization of a sulfated glucan isolated from the aqueous extract of Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. Carbohydr Polym. 2012, 87: 160-169. 10.1016/j.carbpol.2011.07.032.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Tibe O, Meagher LP, Fraser K, Harding DRK: Condensed Tannins and Flavonoids from the Forage Legume Sulla (Hedysarum coronarium). J Agr Food Chem. 2011, 59: 9402-9409. 10.1021/jf2014759.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Hui HP, Feng SL, Hu FD, Cui F, Wu YQ: Study on antioxidative activity of polysaccharide from Radix Hedysari in vitro. J Anhui Agri Sci. 2010, 38: 4056-4057.

    Google Scholar 

  61. Qiu T, Bai J, Jiang Y, Huang ZL: The effect of HPS on RNA and DNA content in several organs of mice. Chin Trad Pat Med. 1992, 14: 33-34.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Zhang JP, Guo LP, Ruan SY: The effect of HPS on LPO and SOD content in SMC of rabbits. J Gansu College of Trad Chin Med. 1992, 9: 3-

    Google Scholar 

  63. Hai LQ, Kang JS, Sun L: Effects of aqueous extract of Hedysarum austrosibiricum on metabolism of oxyen free radicals in subacute aging mice caused by D-galactose. China J Chin Materia Medica. 2007, 32: 729-731.

    Google Scholar 

  64. Mao XJ, Wang JZ, Wang FL: Effects of radix hedysari polysaccharide (RHPS) & astragali polysaccharide (APS) on immune functions. Chin Pharm Bull. 1989, 5: 367-372.

    Google Scholar 

  65. Quan JX: The pharmacological research on Hedysari. LiShizhen Med Materia Medica Res. 1997, 8: 178-180.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Wang W, You CG, Wang Y, Wang CM, Hu JC, Zheng HJ: The RHTS’ enhancement to the function of mouse immunocytes and its relation with CaM levels in the cells. J Lanzhou University. 2000, 5: 112-116.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Yu L, Cao Y, Wei X, Xu L, Fang TH: The Immuno regulation effects of different extracts from radix Astragali and radix Hedysari. J Anhui Agri Sci. 2010, 38: 20623-20624.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Wei DF, Zhang LF, Cheng WD, Gui MM, Li XY, Wei YX, Bao YC: Comparative study of Hedysari Radix and Astragali Radix alternative classic tonification prescriptions on humoral immunity in immunosuppressed mice. Zhongyaocai. 2012, 35: 944-948.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  69. Li SG, Wang DG, Tian W, Wang XX, Zhao JX, Liu Z, Chen R: Characterization and anti-tumor activity of a polysaccharide from Hedysarum polybotrys Hand.-Mazz. Carbohydr Polym. 2008, 73: 344-350. 10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.12.001.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Hu FD, Li XD, Zhao LG, Feng SL, Wang CM: Antidiabetic properties of purified polysaccharide from Hedysarum polybotrys. Can J Physiol Pharm. 2010, 88: 64-72. 10.1139/Y09-098.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Wei SY, Zhang PX, Han N, Dang Y, Zhang HB, Zhang DY, Fu ZG, Jiang BG: Effects of Hedysari polysaccharides on regeneration and function recovery following peripheral nerve injury in rats. The American J Chin Med. 2009, 37: 57-67. 10.1142/S0192415X09006618.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Huang ZL, Cui ZM, Ren Y, Zhang J: Pharmacological effects on HPS complexes. J Gansu College of Trad Chin Med. 1987, 3: 40-43.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology (2012BA128B02).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Minhui Li.

Additional information

Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

DY, ZN, LY, LL, and ZC were involved in preparing the manuscript. LM and TD participated in discussions of views represented in the paper. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

Electronic supplementary material

Authors’ original submitted files for images

Below are the links to the authors’ original submitted files for images.

Authors’ original file for figure 1

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Dong, Y., Tang, D., Zhang, N. et al. Phytochemicals and biological studies of plants in genus Hedysarum. Chemistry Central Journal 7, 124 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-7-124

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-153X-7-124

Keywords