Quercetin, Kaempferol and Isorhamnetin in Elaeagnus pungens Thunb. Leaf: Pharmacological Activities and Quantitative Determination Studies

Elaeagnus pungens leaf was documented to be very effective to treat asthma and chronic bronchitis both as traditional Chinese medicine and minority traditional medicine; yet the actual effective components still remain unknown. This work is to investigate the anti-inflammatory, antalgic and antitussive activities of E. pungens leaf, quercetin and kaempferol, and their contents in E. pungens leaf. Pharmacological experiments showed that they could considerably reduce ear-swelling of mouse and relieve writhing reaction of mouse; they could also prevent mouse from coughing significantly. These findings suggested that quercetin and kaempferol are major effective components treating asthma and chronic bronchitis. Quantitative analysis results indicated that the levels of quercetin, kaempferol and isorhamnetin varied greatly in different species of Elaeagnus and in different plant parts: E. pungens leaf is more similar to Elaeagnus umbellate leaf chemically; quercetin level is exceptionally high in Elaeagnus oldhami leaf; E. pungens leaf is a better medical part for treating asthma and chronic bronchitis in comparison with other parts.