“Radix Saniculae”: Phytochemical Characterization and Potential Adulteration of an Austrian Traditional Wound-Healing Agent
The aerial parts (Herba Saniculae) and the underground parts (Radix Saniculae) of <i>Sanicula europaea</i> (sanicle) have been used traditionally in Austrian folk medicine to treat wounds. Interestingly, in the Austrian vernacular, “Radix Saniculae” can also refer to the underground part...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Plants |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2223-7747/14/2/266 |
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| Summary: | The aerial parts (Herba Saniculae) and the underground parts (Radix Saniculae) of <i>Sanicula europaea</i> (sanicle) have been used traditionally in Austrian folk medicine to treat wounds. Interestingly, in the Austrian vernacular, “Radix Saniculae” can also refer to the underground parts of <i>Cardamine enneaphyllos</i>. This ambiguity can lead to mistakes in using these two plants and, importantly, adulterations. The present work aims to shed light on using Radix Saniculae as a wound-healing agent. Thus, the main components in the aerial and the scarcely investigated underground parts of <i>Sanicula europaea</i> were identified and compared to the underground parts of <i>Cardamine enneaphyllos</i>. For this purpose, different analytical techniques were employed: TLC, HPLC-DAD/ELSD, UHPLC-ESI-MS, and GC-MS. The main components in both <i>Sanicula</i> and <i>Cardamine</i> plant extracts were saccharides. Both parts of <i>Sanicula europaea</i> showed similar compositions: hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives and triterpene saponins. In contrast, the underground parts of <i>Cardamine enneaphyllos</i> contain two glucosinolates and their breakdown products. These findings suggest the same wound-healing activity for the underground parts of <i>Sanicula europaea</i> as was already found for its aerial parts. The glucosinolates detected in <i>Cardamine enneaphyllos</i> substantiate its use in wound healing. Nevertheless, the presented analytical methods allow for easy discovery of adulterations. |
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| ISSN: | 2223-7747 |