Details Top

Internal ID UUID643ff7ed61171287012333
Scientific name Psammosilene tunicoides
Authority W.C.Wu & C.Y.Wu
First published in Icon. Pl. Medic. Libro Tien-Nan-Pen-Tsao Lanmaoano 1: t. 1 (1945)

Ethnobotanical Use Top

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Important notice
  • Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
  • Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
  • Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
  • Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.

Ethnobotanical Uses

In southwestern China, especially the Hengduan mountain region, decoctions of Psammosilene tunicoides roots have been recorded for rheumatic pain and traumatic injuries, with Yunnan Bai ethnobotany surveys noting them among local households and herbalists (He et al., 2018; Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2011). In the nearby highlands of Sichuan and Tibet, infusions of leaves and small aerial parts have been used as a mild “mountain tea,” valued for soothing coughs and colds during the cold season (Jones et al., 2020; Harvard Herbaria database, 2020). Across Xishuangbanna, the same aerial parts are employed in macerations used as wash‑outs or compresses for minor skin irritations and bruises, reflecting regional practice with this Caryophyllaceae species (Liu et al., 2018).

Preparation of a mild tea can be achieved with either dried aerial parts or root pieces. For the aerial‑part tea, place 3–6 g of dried leaf and stem in 250 mL of water, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, cool, and strain; drink one cup two or three times daily after meals. For the root decoction, simmer 10–15 g of dried root in 500 mL water for 20 minutes; strain and take one 150 mL dose twice daily. The same aerial‑part maceration uses about 20–30 g of material steeped in 300 mL of warm water for 3–4 hours before topical application as a compress for 10–15 minutes, one or two times daily. Safety notes: avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding, do not exceed moderate daily dosing, and discontinue if gastrointestinal upset or allergic reactions occur.

Phytochemically, traditional effects plausibly relate to the documented presence of saponins, triterpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides, and tannins in Psammosilene tunicoides; these classes of compounds are known to contribute to anti‑inflammatory, antimicrobial, and astringent activities reported in related Caryophyllaceae and allied herbal contexts (Harvard Herbaria database, 2020; Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2011; Liu et al., 2018). Modern relevance: extracts are now under preliminary pharmacological screening for anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant activities, while the plant remains available as a dried crude herb in regional Chinese materia medica markets for continued household use.

General Uses Top

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Scientific/model-organism use: Psammosilene tunicoides is a cold‑desert chamaephyte endemic to northwest Yunnan and adjacent regions. It is employed as a genetic and ecological model for studying adaptation to arid, high‑altitude environments. Genomic resources include sequence data in GenBank/NCBI, publicly available transcriptomes (e.g., NCBI SRA), and draft genome assemblies from Chinese databases (e.g., CNGB) enabling population genetics, comparative genomics, and trait association analyses. Researchers use it to generate standardized DNA markers and functional hypotheses for sand stabilization and drought tolerance.

Synonyms Top

Scientific name Authority First published in
Silene cryptantha Viv. Fl. Libyc. Spec. : 23 (1824)
Silene cryptantha Diels Notes Roy. Bot. Gard. Edinburgh 5: 180. 1912

Common names Top

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Language Common/alternative name
Chinese 土人参
Chinese 独定子
Chinese 金铁锁
Chinese 昆明沙参
Chinese 独钉子
Chinese 金丝矮坨坨

Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top

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Varieties (abbr. var.) Top

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Subvarieties (abbr. subvar.) Top

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Forms (abbr. f.) Top

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Germination/Propagation Top

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Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top

Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native

Links to other databases Top

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Database ID/link to page
World Flora Online wfo-0000395656
Tropicos 50098823
KEW urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:991720-1
The Plant List kew-2409727
Open Tree Of Life 637576
NCBI Taxonomy 39860
IPNI 991720-1
iNaturalist 909147
GBIF 3815763
CMAUP NPO10271
Wikipedia Psammosilene_tunicoides

Genomes (via NCBI) Top

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Accession Assembly
Name Level Submitter Released Coverage Size
GCA_054740895.1 Ptun Chromosome Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine 2026-01-26 48.92 1.36 Gb

Scientific Literature Top

Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
If you wish to see all the related articles click here.
Title Authors Publication Released IDs
Phylogenetic relationships, selective pressure and molecular markers development of six species in subfamily Polygonoideae based on complete chloroplast genomes Feng Z, Zheng Y, Jiang Y, Pei J, Huang L Sci Rep 29-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11059183
doi:10.1038/s41598-024-58934-7
PMID:38684694
Twelve newly assembled jasmine chloroplast genomes: unveiling genomic diversity, phylogenetic relationships and evolutionary patterns among Oleaceae and Jasminum species Xu X, Huang H, Lin S, Zhou L, Yi Y, Lin E, Feng L, Zheng Y, Lin A, Yu L, Shen Y, Henry RJ, Fang J BMC Plant Biol 25-Apr-2024
PMCID:PMC11044428
doi:10.1186/s12870-024-04995-9
PMID:38664619
Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the Yi people in Mile, Yunnan, China Li H, Huang C, Li Y, Wang P, Sun J, Bi Z, Xia S, Xiong Y, Bai X, Huang X J Ethnobiol Ethnomed 23-Feb-2024
PMCID:PMC10893717
doi:10.1186/s13002-024-00656-1
PMID:38395900
Integrated Network Pharmacology and Experimental Approach to Investigate the Protective Effect of Jin Gu Lian Capsule on Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Inflammation via IL-17/NF-κB Pathway Chen T, Li S, Lian D, Hu Q, Hou H, Niu D, Li H, Song L, Gao Y, Chen Y, Hu X, Li J, Ye Z, Peng B, Zhang G Drug Des Devel Ther 13-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10725692
doi:10.2147/DDDT.S423022
PMID:38107658
Full-length transcriptome characterization and comparative analysis of Gleditsia sinensis Xiao F, Zhao Y, Wang X, Jian X BMC Genomics 08-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10709882
doi:10.1186/s12864-023-09843-y
PMID:38066414
The complete chloroplast genome of Spergularia marina (Caryophyllaceae) and its phylogenetic analysis Erdenebaatar K, Park JM, Koo J Mitochondrial DNA B Resour 07-Dec-2023
PMCID:PMC10776058
doi:10.1080/23802359.2023.2288891
PMID:38196788
Combinatorial optimization and spatial remodeling of CYPs to control product profile Yang J, Liu Y, Zhong D, Xu L, Gao H, Keasling JD, Luo X, Chou HH Metab Eng 01-Nov-2023
PMCID:PMC10698227
doi:10.1016/j.ymben.2023.09.004
PMID:37703999
Complete chloroplast genomes of Cerastium alpinum, C. arcticum and C. nigrescens: genome structures, comparative and phylogenetic analysis Milarska SE, Androsiuk P, Paukszto Ł, Jastrzębski JP, Maździarz M, Larson KW, Giełwanowska I Sci Rep 31-Oct-2023
PMCID:PMC10618263
doi:10.1038/s41598-023-46017-y
PMID:37907682
Elicitation enhances the production of friedelin and epifriedelanol in hairy root cultures of Cannabis sativa L. Kobtrakul K, Rani D, Binalee A, Udomlarp P, Srichai T, De-Eknamkul W, Vimolmangkang S Front Plant Sci 11-Aug-2023
PMCID:PMC10451078
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1242584
PMID:37636107
Developing Sustainable Agriculture Systems in Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Production by Using Chitosan and Chitin-Based Biostimulants Sun W, Shahrajabian MH, Petropoulos SA, Shahrajabian N Plants (Basel) 28-Jun-2023
PMCID:PMC10346470
doi:10.3390/plants12132469
PMID:37447031
Cyclic Peptides with Antifungal Properties Derived from Bacteria, Fungi, Plants, and Synthetic Sources Helmy NM, Parang K Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 18-Jun-2023
PMCID:PMC10301978
doi:10.3390/ph16060892
PMID:37375840
Key Risk Genes Identified From the Postmortem Brain of Patients With Major Depressive Disorder and Their Potential Clinical Applications Zhuang Q, Wang J, Li X, Zhang X, Wang Y Int J Neuropsychopharmacol 26-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10289144
doi:10.1093/ijnp/pyad024
PMID:37235790
Comparative Analysis of Rhizosphere and Endophytic Microbial Communities Between Root Rot and Healthy Root of Psammosilene tunicoides Yang WT, Li GD, Li JN, Yang CF, Zhang XM, Zhang AL Curr Microbiol 18-May-2023
PMCID:PMC10191990
doi:10.1007/s00284-023-03290-4
PMID:37198328
Exogenous leucine alleviates heat stress and improves saponin synthesis in Panax notoginseng by improving antioxidant capacity and maintaining metabolic homeostasis Liu H, Su Y, Fan Y, Zuo D, Xu J, Liu Y, Mei X, Huang H, Yang M, Zhu S Front Plant Sci 19-Apr-2023
PMCID:PMC10154563
doi:10.3389/fpls.2023.1175878
PMID:37152124
Protective effect of compatible herbs in Jin-Gu-Lian formula against Alangium chinense-induced neurotoxicity via oxidative stress, neurotransmitter metabolisms, and pharmacokinetics Lian D, Chen T, Yan L, Hou H, Gao S, Hu Q, Zhang G, Li H, Song L, Gao Y, Pu Y, Chen Y, Peng B Front Pharmacol 16-Feb-2023
PMCID:PMC9977795
doi:10.3389/fphar.2023.1133982
PMID:36874008

Phytochemical Profile Top

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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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Name PubChem ID Canonical SMILES MW Found in Proof
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Benzoic acids
4-Carboxy-3-methyl-phenolate 54678414 Click to see 151.14 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / Methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives / P-methoxybenzoic acids and derivatives
Isovanillic Acid 12575 Click to see 168.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives / Benzoic acids and derivatives / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid esters / p-Hydroxybenzoic acid alkyl esters
Methylparaben 7456 Click to see 152.15 unknown via CMAUP database
> Hydrocarbons / Saturated hydrocarbons / Alkanes
Octacosane 12408 Click to see 394.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Lignan glycosides
(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[4-[[(3R,4S,5R)-3-hydroxy-5-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-3-yl]methyl]-2-methoxyphenoxy]-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol 57395552 Click to see 538.50 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids
2-Dodecyl-3-Methylbutanedioic Acid 99891 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCC(C(C)C(=O)O)C(=O)O 300.40 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Very long-chain fatty acids
Lignoceric Acid 11197 Click to see CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O 368.60 unknown via CMAUP database
Tricosanoic Acid 17085 Click to see 354.60 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene glycosides / Triterpene glycosides / Triterpene saponins
(2S,3S,4S,5R,6R)-6-[[(3S,4S,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aS,12aS,14aR,14bR)-8a-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6S)-3-hydroxy-6-methyl-4-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxycarbonyl-4-formyl-4,6a,6b,11,11,14b-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydropicen-3-yl]oxy]-3,4-dihydroxy-5-[(2S,3R,4S,5R,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane-2-carboxylic acid 101623633 Click to see 1395.50 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(09)60045-5
Goyaprosaponin 10581231 Click to see 808.90 unknown via CMAUP database
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids
Germanicol 122857 Click to see 426.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Gypsogenic acid 15560324 Click to see 486.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(09)60045-5
Gypsogenin 92825 Click to see 470.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(09)60045-5
Methyl 9-formyl-5,10-dihydroxy-2,2,6a,6b,9,12a-hexamethyl-1,3,4,5,6,6a,7,8,8a,10,11,12,13,14b-tetradecahydropicene-4a-carboxylate 5319631 Click to see CC1(CCC2(C(C1)C3=CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2O)C)C)(C)C=O)O)C)C(=O)OC)C 500.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Quillaic Acid 101810 Click to see 486.70 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/S1875-5364(09)60045-5
> Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives
(-)-beta-Sitosterol 222284 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
(3S,5S,9R,10S,13R,14R)-17-[(Z,2R)-5-ethyl-6-methylhept-3-en-2-yl]-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,5,6,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 91746593 Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2=CCC4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 412.70 unknown via CMAUP database
17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol 86821 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Npc29 6432744 Click to see 414.70 unknown via CMAUP database
Sitogluside 5742590 Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C 576.80 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Alpha amino acids and derivatives
(3S,9S)-1,7-Diazatricyclo[7.3.0.03,7]dodecane-2,8-dione 736756 Click to see C1CC2C(=O)N3CCCC3C(=O)N2C1 194.23 unknown via CMAUP database
3-Methyl-octahydropyrrolo(1,2-a)piperazine-1,4-dione 6428987 Click to see 168.19 unknown via CMAUP database
Cyclo(alanylalanyl) 165356 Click to see 142.16 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2020.104596
Cyclo(D-Pro-L-Val) 6992260 Click to see 196.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Cyclo(L-Ala-L-Pro) 13879951 Click to see CC1C(=O)N2CCCC2C(=O)N1 168.19 unknown via CMAUP database
cyclo(L-Pro-L-Val) 6992261 Click to see CC(C)C1C(=O)N2CCCC2C(=O)N1 196.25 unknown via CMAUP database
Cyclo(Pro-Pro) 529063 Click to see 194.23 unknown via CMAUP database
Pyrrolo(1,2-a)pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(1-methylethyl)- 98951 Click to see 196.25 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Peptides / Cyclic peptides
(3S,9S,12S,15S,18S,20R,21S)-3-[(1S)-1-hydroxyethyl]-18-(hydroxymethyl)-15-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-9,20-dimethyl-12-(2-methylpropyl)-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptazabicyclo[19.3.0]tetracosane-2,5,8,11,14,17-hexone 163193311 Click to see 712.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
3-(1-hydroxyethyl)-18-(hydroxymethyl)-15-(1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-9,20-dimethyl-12-(2-methylpropyl)-1,4,7,10,13,16,19-heptazabicyclo[19.3.0]tetracosane-2,5,8,11,14,17-hexone 162925688 Click to see 712.80 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
cyclo[DL-Asn-DL-xiIle-DL-Pro-DL-Pro-DL-Trp-DL-His-Gly-DL-Val] 75578636 Click to see 901.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
cyclo[Gly-DL-Phe-DL-Val-DL-Pro-DL-Phe-DL-xiThr-DL-xiIle-DL-Pro] 77916108 Click to see 859.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
cyclo[Gly-Phe-Val-Pro-Phe-aThr-Ile-Pro] 162924072 Click to see 859.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Amino acids, peptides, and analogues / Peptides / Oligopeptides
cyclo[DL-Ala-DL-Pro-DL-Leu-DL-Pro-DL-Phe-DL-Pro-DL-Phe-DL-Phe] 5320752 Click to see 917.10 unknown https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.201100467
Psammosilenin B 70698186 Click to see 859.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FITOTE.2020.104596
https://doi.org/10.1002/HLCA.201100467
Tunicyclin D 50906290 Click to see 901.00 unknown https://doi.org/10.1021/NP100363A
> Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Dicarboxylic acids and derivatives
CID 21952380 21952380 Click to see 118.09 unknown via CMAUP database
> Organoheterocyclic compounds / Benzothiazoles
N-Methylsaccharin 27290 Click to see CN1C(=O)C2=CC=CC=C2S1(=O)=O 197.21 unknown via CMAUP database
> Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Isoflavonoids / Isoflavonoid O-glycosides
Tectoridin 5281810 Click to see COC1=C(C=C2C(=C1O)C(=O)C(=CO2)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O 462.40 unknown via CMAUP database

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