Pharmacognostical Studies on the Rhizome of Polygonum robustum Nakai

왕둥굴레의 생약학적연구(生藥學的硏究)

The rhizome of Polygonatum robustum Nakai (Liliaceae) has been used as a crude drug for the purpose of tonic and thirst cure in Korea. The dried rhizomes were extracted with hot ether, then the residue was extracted with hot alcohol. 1) The three kinds of chemical constituents, substance, I, II and III were isolated by silicagel column chromatography from ether and alcohol extracts of the rhizomes. Substance I was confirmed as ${\beta}-sitosterol$, $C_{29}H_{50}O$ by mass and IR spectroscopy. Substance II was identified as stigmasterol by GLC. 2) Substance III was obtained by crystallization from the column chromatography of alcohol fraction. It was suggested as diosgenin based on chemical and spectral discussions. 3) The concentration of blood sugar was significantly decreased in the group administered the ether extract with 20% dextrose and adrenaline in comparison to that of 20% dextrose and adrenaline along.