Patrinia scabiosaefolia Fisch is used in folk medicines to treat intestinal abscesses, acute appendicitis, and dysentery in Asia. Although recent reports indicate that Patriniascabiosaefolia has sedative and anti-tumor effects, its effects on ulcerative colitis have not been previously explored.

From the roots of Patrinia scabiosaefolia, oleanolic acid, hederagenin, 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-oleanolic acid, 3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin, 2′-O-acetyl-3-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-hederagenin and a mixture of sitosterol and campesterol-d-glucosides were isolated.

Patrinia, Herbs, perennial, less frequently biennial; taprooted or rhizomatous; roots or rhizomes strongly stinking. Stems sometimes lignified at base. Basal leaves rosulate, simple to pinnatifid or pinnatisect, often wilted or caducous at anthesis. Cauline leaves opposite, simple to pinnatifid or pinnatisect, margin serrate or dentate, rarely entire. Inflorescence of corymbiform or paniculiform compound dichasia.