Flavan-3-ols and flavonoids from Potentilla anserina.

Roots/rhizomes and aerial parts of Potentilla anserina L. (Rosaceae) contain two flavan-3-ols: (+)-catechin and (+)-gallocatechin. The flavonol glycosides and glucuronides isolated from the herb were kaempferol 3- O-beta- D-glucoside, kaempferol 3- O-beta- D-(6''- O-( E)- P-coumaroyl)glucopyranoside, quercetin 3- O-beta- D-glucoside, quercetin 3- O-beta- D-xyloside, quercetin 3- O-alpha- L-rhamnoside, quercetin 3- O-beta- D-sambubioside, quercetin 3- O-beta- D-glucuronide, isorhamnetin 3- O-beta- D-glucuronide, myricetin 3- O-alpha- L-rhamnoside, and myricetin 3- O-beta- D-glucuronide. Herbacetin 8-methyl ether-3- O-beta- D-sophoroside (8-methoxykaempferol 3-sophoroside) was identified in the flowers. The 6''-methyl ester of quercetin 3- O-beta- D-galacturonide, which may be an artifact, was isolated from the herb. The total flavonoid content calculated as quercetin-3- O-beta- D-glucuronide was 1% in the lyophilized herb used in this study and 0.5% in a commercial drug, meeting DAC standards.