Japanese Buttercup
Ranunculus japonicus · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Sparse (17 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆
Japanese Buttercup, scientifically known as Ranunculus japonicus, is a perennial herb native to East Asia. Characterized by its vibrant yellow flowers and glossy foliage, this plant holds significant place in traditional medicine. It is primarily utilized for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, though careful handling is required due to toxicity.
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
- Native range
- Asia-Temperate
- Parts used
- Stem
- Common names
- Japanese Buttercup
- Scientific synonyms
- Ranunculus Acris Subsp. Japonicus · Ranunculus Acris Var. Japonicus
Names
Common Names
- Japanese Buttercup
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Ranunculus japonicusSynonyms
- Ranunculus acris subsp. japonicus
- Ranunculus acris var. japonicus
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Ranunculales. Finally, it resides in the family Ranunculaceae under the genus Ranunculus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ranunculales | WCVP |
| Family | Ranunculaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ranunculus | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across various expansive regions within Siberia. It can be found growing in the Buryatiya region of this vast territory. Additionally, the species is documented in the areas of Chita and Irkutsk. Its presence extends further into the southern reaches of Tuva. Finally, the geographical range of this medicinal plant includes the northern expanse of Yakutiya.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Buryatiya | WCVP |
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Siberia | Irkutsk | WCVP |
| Siberia | Tuva | WCVP |
| Siberia | Yakutiya | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Amur | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Khabarovsk | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Kuril Is. | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Sakhalin | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known as Ranunculus japonicus, is a versatile herb that is utilized in various traditional applications. When preparing medicinal extracts, practitioners often focus on the young stem, which contains a concentrated amount of the plant's active compounds. As a complete herb, the entire structure of the plant is often studied to understand the full spectrum of its biological properties and healing potential.| Plant Part | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| stem | Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ranunculus japonicus has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anemonin, Flavonoids, Scoparone, Ternatolide, Tricin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Anemonin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Flavonoids | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Scoparone | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Ternatolide | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Tricin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| luteolin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| protocatechuic acid | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scopoletin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Anemonin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
- Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials
Flavonoids
- Physiologia plantarum
Scoparone
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Ternatolide
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Tricin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
luteolin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
protocatechuic acid
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
scopoletin
- Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica
Activities
Ranunculus japonicus has 4 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticarcinogenic, Antioxidant, Antiprotozoal.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Anticarcinogenic | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiprotozoal | Plants (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ranunculus japonicus has 2 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include hepatitis B virus, malaria.
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| hepatitis B virus | Journal of medical virology (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| malaria | Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Preparations
| Preparations | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| extract | Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| extract of the young stem of R. japonicus | Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |