Pasque Flower

Scientific Name(s): Pulsatilla patens (L.) Mill., Pulsatilla pratensis L., Pulsatilla vulgaris Mill.
Common Name(s): Easter flower, Meadow anemone, Pasque flower, Pulsatilla, Wind flower

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Sep 16, 2021.

Clinical Overview

Use

Pasque flower has confirmed antibiotic and uterotonic activity; however, it is not recommended for human use.

Dosing

There is no recent evidence to support specific doses of pasque flower. The fresh plant is toxic; classical doses of the dried herb were from 0.1 to 0.4 g daily.

Contraindications

No longer considered safe.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Documented adverse effects. Avoid use. Uterine stimulant.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

No data.

Toxicology

Pasque flower is extremely toxic and should not be ingested or applied to the skin.

Scientific Family

• Ranunculaceae (buttercup)

Botany

Several closely related species of pulsatilla have found medicinal use in Europe and North America. They are perennial herbs that grow in well-drained, sandy or rocky soil, blooming early in spring soon after snow has melted. The single large flower is characterized by the large, colored bracts, which have the appearance of petals. The whole plant is covered with silky hairs that give the ripe fruit the appearance of a mop head. All parts of the fresh plant have an acrid taste. Molecular research has defined the relationships between different species of pulsatilla and related genera, and has suggested that the genera Pulsatilla, Hepatica, and Knowltonia should be merged into the single genus Anemone.1

History

The dried whole plant of pulsatilla has been used in Europe for a variety of medicinal purposes, including dysmenorrhea and other gynecological disorders, skin diseases, asthma, and eye infections, and as a diuretic and expectorant.2 It is widely used in homeopathic preparations, once being considered specific for measles, and also used for toothache, earache, and indigestion. A large number of Asian species of pulsatilla (eg, Pulsatilla cernua. Spreng, Japanese name "Hakutoo," Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge) Regel. and others, Chinese name "Bai Tou Weng") have also been used medicinally.3, 4

Chemistry

The most notable compounds in pulsatilla and many other Ranunculaceae are ranunculin, protoanemonin, and anemonin. Ranunculin is a glycoside that is enzymatically hydrolyzed when the tissues are crushed to the volatile unsaturated lactone protoanemonin, which then dimerizes to anemonin on exposure to air. Protoanemonin is extremely volatile and vesicant. Anemonin was first isolated in 17925 and protoanemonin was elucidated in 1920.6 Ranunculin was characterized in 1951, and the gross structure of anemonin was proposed.7 The complete stereostructure of anemonin was determined by x-ray crystallography in 1965.8

Triterpene saponins are found in various species of pulsatilla3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12 while flavonoids also have been isolated.13 A novel bicyclic quinone was recently reported from P. koreana.14

Uses and Pharmacology

Protoanemonin has been reported to have antibacterial1...