Phytochemical profiling of the leaves and roots of Geum elatum Wall. ex G.Don (Rosaceae).

Geum elatum Wall. Ex G.Don is a medicinal plant that is native to the Hindu Kush region of the Himalayas. G. elatum roots and leaves collected from this region were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (by analysis of aqueous methanol extracts) to reveal the detection of compounds assigned as hydrolysable tannins, condensed tannins, flavonoids and triterpenes in the leaf and root extracts. The dimeric ellagitannin, gemin A, was isolated from the roots and the structure was elucidated using techniques in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The detection of these compounds in the roots and leaves of G. elatum may provide new insights into the traditional medicinal uses of this species.