Synergy-directed fractionation of botanical medicines: a case study with goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis).

ABSTRACT: It is often argued that the efficacy of herbal medicines is a result of the combined action of multiple constituents that work synergistically or additively. Determining the bioactive constituents in these mixtures poses a significant challenge. We have developed an approach to address this challenge, synergy-directed fractionation, which combines comprehensive mass spectrometry profiling with synergy assays and natural products isolation. The applicability of synergy-directed fractionation was demonstrated using the botanical medicine goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) as a case study. Three synergists from goldenseal were identified, sideroxylin, 8-desmethyl-sideroxylin, and 6-desmethyl-sideroxylin. These flavonoids synergistically enhance the antimicrobial activity of the alkaloid berber

SUBMITTER: Junio HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3142294 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature