Active Components Screening and Metabolism Study of Tibetan "Xuelianhua" (Saussurea laniceps)

Inflammation is a common human disease that seriously degrades the quality of life of patients. The existing anti-inflammatory drugs, both steroidal and non-steroidal (NSAIDs), have unavoidable adverse reactions. Given recent successes in finding remedies from herbs for other conditions, herbs are a potential source of new drugs for inflammation as well.

“Xuelianhua (雪蓮花)” is highly regarded in China for its potency in treating various diseases related to chronic inflammation, such as rheumatism, impotence and menoxenia. Saussurea involucrata, S. medusa and S. laniceps are the three main species used in Uighur and Tibetan folk medicine. In our previous study, the chemical composition and pharmacological activities of the three species of “Xuelianhua” were compared. S. laniceps, one of the Tibetan “Xuelianhua”, was found to be most effective against the inflammatory and nociceptive models.

However, the active components and treatment mechanism of Tibetan “Xuelianhua” (S. laniceps) are still unknown. Previous work suggests that further study will be productive; thus, and the current work aims to screen active ingredients from the original constituents or the new metabolites by bioassay-guided fractionation and metabolism study. Active compounds and metabolites from the plant will be investigated to confirm their anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects on animal models. In addition, the pharmacological mechanism of Tibetan “Xuelianhua” (S. laniceps) will be elucidated. This investigation will provide a scientific basis for the clinical use of “Xuelianhua”, and is expected to lead, ultimately, to the development of new, safe and effective anti-inflammatory drugs from “Xuelianhua”.