Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, and clinical applications of Phytolaccae Radix / 中草药

Phytolaccae Radix, including Phytolacca acinosa and P. Americana, is recorded by Chinese Pharmacopoeia for its important medicinal property. The most characteristic chemical constituents of Phytolaccae Radix are triterpenoid saponins, and there are also flavone, phenolic acid, sterol, and polysaccharides in it. Phytolaccae Radix has various pharmacological activities, such as diuretic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammation, anticancer effects, and so on, and it is usually used to treat hepatitis B, psoriasis, irritability, and so on. In this paper, we summarize the chemical composition, pharmacyological action, and clinical curative effect of Phytolaccae Radix to prompt the development and utilization of them.