Comprehensive Chemical Analysis of Codonopsis lanceolata Roots and the Vasodilatory Effects of Its Major Compound, Lancemaside A

A research group led by Associate Professor Takashi Kikuchi and Professor Wei Li from the Department of Pharmacognosy at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Toho University, along with Professor Atsushi Sugiyama from the Department of Pharmacology at the Faculty of Medicine and Industry-Academia Collaboration Advisor Katsuhiko Ito, has analyzed the chemical compounds of the roots of Codonopsis lanceolata (commonly known as “Tsuruninjin”) grown in Nagano Prefecture. Their findings have revealed the compounds of the plant and, in particular, demonstrated that its major compound, lancemaside A, exhibits vasodilatory effects, suggesting that Codonopsis lanceolata could be effectively utilized as a health-promoting material in the future.
This research was published in the academic journal Chemistry on January 6, 2025.

Key Findings of the Research:
The roots of Codonopsis lanceolata grown in Nagano Prefecture were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Twenty-seven compounds, including triterpenoid saponins, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, glycolipids, phospholipids, and amino acids, were identified. This study represents the first systematic report on the chemical compounds of Japanese Codonopsis lanceolata
. On evaluating the vasodilatory effects of the root fractions—including the major compounds, lancemaside A and lobetyolin—using rat aortic ring specimens, the study confirmed that lancemaside A exhibited significant vasodilatory effects
. The chemical and biological activity findings from this study provide valuable insights for the future use of Codonopsis lanceolata as a health material.

Figure Codonopsis lanceolata Roots and its major compounds

Research Summary:
Codonopsis lanceolata is a perennial plant belonging the Campanulaceae family, which is native to East Asia. In this study, LC-MS was used to analyze the chemical compounds of its roots. Twenty-seven compounds, including triterpenoid saponins, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, lignans, glycolipids, phospholipids, and amino acids, were identified. One of the triterpenoid saponins had not been reported previously. The ex vivo vasodilatory effects using rat aortic ring specimens of the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions, along with the major compounds, lancemaside A and lobetyolin were also evaluated. Lanceocide A showed a significant time-dependent vasodilatory effect.

Journal Name:
Chemistry (Volume 7, Issue 1, Article 4, published on January 6, 2025)

Article Title:
Comprehensive Chemical Analysis of Codonopsis lanceolata Roots Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Quadrupole-Exactive–Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry

Authors:
Chang Luo, Zenan Duan, Takashi Kikuchi, Kouharu Otsuki, Mi Zhang, Ryuichi Kambayashi, Katsuhiko Ito, Atsushi Sugiyama, Wei Li

DOI:
10.3390/chemistry7010004

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