Chemical constituents of roots of Epimedium wushanense and evaluation of their biological activities.

Seven flavonoids named diphylloside A, epimedoside A, epimedin C, icariin, epimedoside C, icarisoside A, desmethylanhydroicaritin, as well as the oleanolic acid, were isolated from the roots of Epimedium wushanense for the first time. These flavonoids manifested significant antioxidant activity in vitro. Scavenging effects of two flavonoids were comparable to that of Vitamin C. Antibacterial experiment has shown that the diphylloside A, icarisoside A and desmethylanhydroicaritin have significant activity towards Pseudomonas aeruginosa.