ABSTRACT
Gelsemium elegans,the evergreen woody vine of the genus Gelsemium of the Loganiaceae family in China,is a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. It is spicy,bitter,warm,highly toxic and commonly used for dispelling wind-evil,attacking poison,reducing swelling and relieving pain. In this article, the researches on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of G. elegans in recent years were retrieved,reviewed and summarized. So far,alkaloids,iridoids,triterpenes,phenolic acids,steroids,coumarins,lignans,megastigmane glycosides and other ingredients have been separated from G. elegans. Alkaloids, mostly of indole alkaloids,are the main active ingredients there of which can significantly inhibit central nervous activity. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that alkaloids have a variety of pharmacological activities,which can achieve the purpose of anti-tumor by regulating cell cycle; enhance macrophage phagocytosis,protect white blood cells,and promote immune regulation;relieve cancer pain and long-term pain;reduce the myocardial contractility,get vasodilation to achieve antihypertensive effect;and also play an important role in the treatment of anxiety disorder and dermatosis. In the future research on G. elegans,it is still necessary to further study the chemical constituents,develop promising lead compounds,conduct in-depth research on its toxicology and clinical pharmacology,and clarify its mechanism of action,make it used more fully and reasonably,and lay the foundation for the application and safe use of G. elegans.