ABSTRACT
As a rare Chinese medicinal material, Paridis Rhizoma is mainly distributed in Yunnan, Guangxi, and Guizhou in southwestern China, with the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying, alleviating edema and relieving pain, cooling liver and tranquilizing mind. It is particularly effective for injuries from falls, fractures, contusions and strains, snake bites, cold wind-induced convulsion, and other diseases, which has been used for more than 2 000 years. According to modern research, polyphyllin Ⅱ, one of the main active components of Paridis Rhizoma, belongs to diosgenin in structure. It has the anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, immune-regulating, antioxidant, and multidrug resistance-reversing activities, showing good application prospect. Especially, the anti-tumor effect of polyphyllin Ⅱ has attracted wide attention, and the mechanism is inhibiting proliferation, migration, and invasion of tumor cells, inducing cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy, suppressing angiogenesis, and modulating tumor microenvironment. However, the pharmacokinetic results show that polyphyllin Ⅱ has low bioavailability in vivo due to the low solubility, poor absorption, unsatisfactory distribution, and slow metabolism, which limit the clinical application. In recent years, there has been an explosion of research on the adverse reactions of polyphyllin Ⅱ, such as the strong hemolytic activity and obvious cytotoxicity to liver, kidney, myocardium and cardiovascular cells. Thus, papers were retrieved from "CNKI", "VIP", "Wanfang Data", "PubMed", "Web of Science", and "Elsevier SD" with "Paris saponin Ⅱ", "Polyphyllin Ⅱ" as the main keywords, and the pharmacological activities and mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, and adverse reactions were summarized. The findings are expected to serve as a reference for the in-depth research, development, and utilization of polyphyllin Ⅱ.
ABSTRACT
Smallanthus sonchifolius, a plant resource with both medicinal and edible values, has been taken as fruit for a long history. Studies have proved that phenolic acids, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and fructooligosaccharides are the major compounds in S. sonchifolius. The extract of S. sonchifolius demonstrates noticeable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer effects, as well as the activities of lowering blood glucose level, regulating intestinal function and so on. The rhizomes and leaves of S. sonchifolius contain abundant phenolic acids, mainly caffeic acid and its derivatives, which endow S. sonchifolius with remarkable antioxidant effect. Moreover, these substances can reduce blood glucose by improving insulin sensitivity. Fructooligosaccharides are abundant in the tuber of this plant, which can improve intestinal function by regulating intestinal flora. The sesquiterpene lactones in glandular trichomes on the leaf surface can inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells, among which uvedafolin and enhydrofolin have particularly strong activities. Furthermore, the sesquiterpene lactones have obvious inhibitory effect on Gram-positive bacteria. In terms of structure, the number of epoxy groups is linked to the strength of anticancer and antimicrobial effects. In addition, S. sonchifolius contains other compounds such as volatile oils, fatty acids, sterols, diterpenes, p-hydroxyacetophenone derivatives, and octulosonic acid derivatives, thereby exhibiting the pharmacological effects of treating Alzheimer's disease, protecting kidney, and lowering blood lipids. However, the isolation and identification of the main compounds in S. sonchifolius need further exploration, and the mechanism of action remains to be studied. Here we summarized the principal chemical components and pharmacological activities of S. sonchifolius, aiming to give a clue for the comprehensive development and utilization of this plant.
ABSTRACT
Morus alba, a traditional economic crop, is also a significant medicinal plant. The branches(Mori Ramulus), leaves(Mori Folium), roots and barks(Mori Cortex), and fruits(Mori Fructus) of M. alba are rich in chemical components, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, flavanols, anthocyanins, benzofurans, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides, and possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-microbial, liver protective, immunoregulatory, and other pharmacological activities. This study analyzed the sources, classification, and functions of the main chemical components in M. alba and systematically summarized the latest research results of essential active components in M. alba and their pharmacological effects to provide references for in-depth research and further development as well as utilization of active components in M. alba.
Subject(s)
Anthocyanins , Flavonoids/pharmacology , Morus , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant LeavesABSTRACT
At present, 141 compounds have been isolated from Picrorhiza scrophulariiflora and P. kurroa of the Scrophulariaceae plants, including 46 iridoid glycosides, 29 tetracyclic triterpenoids, 25 phenylpropanoids, and 11 phenylethanoid glycosides. Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that they have liver-, heart-, brain-, kidney-, and nerve cells-protecting effects as well as anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-asthma, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, and blood lipid-lowering activities. This article reviews the chemical components and pharmacological activities of P. scrophulariiflora and P. kurroa, aiming to provide a basis for the in-depth research, development, and utilization of the two plants.
Subject(s)
Iridoid Glycosides , Picrorhiza , Triterpenes/pharmacologyABSTRACT
Phenylpropanoids are one of the major chemical constituents in Zanthoxylum species. They include simple phenylpropanoids, coumarins, and lignans and possess anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet aggregation, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, insecticidal, and antifeedant activities. This review summarizes the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities from the Zanthoxylum plants in hopes of providing reference for the research and application of phenylpropanoids from this genus.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Coumarins/pharmacology , Lignans , Plant Extracts , ZanthoxylumABSTRACT
Perilla frutescens is a traditional medicinal and edible plant widely distributed in China and enjoys an extensive usage. P. frutescens contains multiple essential oils, which are composed of monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, and their oxygen-containing derivatives. Compared with other parts of P. frutescens, Perillae Folium produce more oils, with volatile oils as the main constituents. There are many active substances in the volatile oils from Perillae Folium, mainly including perillaldehyde, perillaketone, perillaalcohol, D-limonene, β-caryophylene, etc. Such factors as germplasm, growth environment, extraction method, cultivation time, and harvest period all can trigger changes in volatile oil constituents and content from Perillae Folium. The volatile oils from Perillae Folium have diverse pharmacological effects like anti-oxidation, anti-bacteria, anti-inflammation, vasodilation, anti-tumor, and anti-depression, implying its high clinical application value. However, the chemical constituents in volatile oils from Perillae Folium are complex and unstable and their pharmacological activities are affected by many factors, so the safety and effectiveness of clinical medication fail to be guaranteed, which may has impeded the rational and effective use of these volatile oils. Many scholars in China and abroad have conducted a lot of research on the volatile oils from Perillae Folium, but there is currently no systematic and comprehensive research report on the chemical constituents of volatile oils from Perillae Folium and their pharmacological effects. This paper reviewed the relevant domestic and foreign literature, analyzed the development status of volatile oils from Perillae Folium, and summarized their extraction process, chemical constituents, and pharmacological actions, aiming to provide a reference for their further development, clinical application, and risk assessment.
ABSTRACT
The tubers and roots of Aconitum (Ranunculaceae) are widely used as heart medicine or analgesic agents for the treatment of coronary heart disease, chronic heart failure, rheumatoid arthritis and neuropathic pain since ancient times. As a type of natural products mainly extracted from Aconitum plants, Aconitum alkaloids have complex chemical structures and exert remarkable biological activity, which are mainly responsible for significant effects of Aconitum plants. The present review is to summarize the progress of the pharmacological, toxicological, and pharmacokinetic studies of Aconitum alkaloids, so as to provide evidence for better clinical application. Research data concerning pharmacological, toxicological and pharmacokinetic studies of Aconitum alkaloids were collected from different scientific databases (PubMed, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and Web of Science) using the phrase Aconitum alkaloids, as well as generic synonyms. Aconitum alkaloids are both bioactive compounds and toxic ingredients in Aconitum plants. They produce a wide range of pharmacological activities, including protecting the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and immune system and anti-cancer effects. Notably, Aconitum alkaloids also exert strong cardiac toxicity, neurotoxicity and liver toxicity, which are supported by clinical studies. Finally, pharmacokinetic studies indicated that cytochrome P450 proteins (CYPs) and efflux transporters (ETs) are closely related to the low bioavailability of Aconitum alkaloids and play an important role in their metabolism and detoxification in vivo.
Subject(s)
Aconitum/chemistry , Alkaloids/toxicity , Biological Availability , Phytochemicals/toxicity , Plant Roots/chemistryABSTRACT
Cadinanes are a class of bicyclic sesquiterpenes with complex stereochemistry and broad pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities. To date, structurally diverse and bioactive cadinane sesquiterpenes have been isolated and identified from a variety of plants and microorganisms. Moreover, deeper understandings on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases have been made. This article categorized the 124 new cadinanes which were published in the literatures in the past four years (2017-2020) into five structural types, and presented their pharmacological activities. We also illustrated the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways for typical cadinanes, summarized the research progress on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases. Finally, current challenges and future prospects were proposed and discussed.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes , SesquiterpenesABSTRACT
@#Objective: The moisture content in the soil directly affects the yield and quality of Panax notoginseng, especially at the age of three years old. However, the suitable moisture for the growth of P. notoginseng is unknown. In this study, the effects of different soil moisture on the growth of P. notoginseng were studied. Methods: Four different water treatments (0.45 field capacity (FC), 0.60 FC, 0.70 FC, and 0.85 FC) were set up in Shilin County, Yunnan Province, China. The water consumption and daily dynamic of water consumption were determined daily (from April 21 to October 18, 2012), and the daily dynamic of water consumption under different weather conditions (sunny and rainy) was determined. The transpiration coefficient and water use efficiency were calculated through dry matter accumulation and total water consumption. Accumulation of saponins of roots of P. notoginseng were analyzed by HPLC after treated, and the soil moisture content suitable for the growth of P. notoginseng was estimated by regression fitting of the active ingredient accumulation and the soil moisture content. Results: The water consumption of 0.85 FC, 0.70 FC, 0.60 FC and 0.45 FC were 2.89, 3.68, 3.37 and 2.73 kg/plant per day, respectively. The water consumption of P. notoginseng from June to August was greater than other months. The daily dynamic of water consumption on sunny days and sunny days after rain showed a “double peak” feature, and it showed a “single peak” feature on rainy days. The water uses efficiency (WUE) of 0.85 FC, 0.70 FC, 0.60 FC and 0.45 FC were 2.51, 3.32, 4.59, 3.39 gDW/kg H <inf>2</inf>O, respectively. The increase of soil moisture content would reduce the WUE of P. notoginseng. With the increase of soil water content, the content of notoginsenoside R <inf>1</inf> and ginsenoside Rg <inf>1</inf> did not change significantly, while the content of ginsenoside Rb <inf>1</inf> and Rd showed a decreasing trend. Conclusion: Soil moisture content significantly affected the water consumption of P. notoginseng, and when it was 56.4% of the maximum water holding capacity in the field, the sum of the four saponins of 100 strains of P. notoginseng was the highest.
ABSTRACT
The review outlines the current understandings of saponins and sapogenins in agave species with special focus on pharmacological role of hecogenin in numerous preclinical studies. A systematic literature survey was done on the pharmacological activities of hecogenin during the past 40 y with electronic databases like PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley, SciFinder, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus. Hecogenin, a steroidal sapogenin found abundantly in the leaves of Agave genus species such as, Agave sisalana, Agave cantala, Agave aurea and many more. This phytosteroid (hecogenin) is used as initial material for the synthesis of steroidal drugs in the pharmaceutical industry. Hecogenin has exhibited potential role in the management of a number of disorders such as inflammation, arthritis, cancer, gastric ulcer, cardiotonic and larvicidal activity. In this review, we have summarized the saponins and sapogenins present in the Agave species and pharmacological roles of hecogenin with their mechanism of action.
ABSTRACT
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) popularly known as “Parijat” is a plant of great importance in India. It iswidely used in Ayurvedic medicines. Each part of this plant has some medicinal value. It possesses extensivemedicinal uses, viz., antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, sedative effect, laxative, and expectorant, inrheumatism. The present review aims to perform a detailed compilation of work done on this plant mainly asa source of the antioxidant and anticancer agent as well as various pharmacological properties from 1987 totill date. All these activities possessed by plants are due to the presence of multiple phytochemicals which canact as a source of active pharmacological agents. Crude extracts, as well as pure compounds like 4-hydroxyhexahydrobenzofuran-7-one, 6β-hydroxyloganin, and Arbortristoside A from seeds, a polysaccharide fromleaves, and Naringenin from the stem, are reported for its anticancer and antioxidant properties. The need ofthe hour is to provide scientific validation of ethnomedicinal use of this plant. The present study can be usedto highlight the need for research and potential development of natural therapeutic products with lesser sideeffects.
ABSTRACT
Plants of genus Cichorium are famous due to their therapeutic and medicinal properties. They are used as traditional medicine and edible food. To date, several scholars concentrated on compounds belonging to coumarins, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, triterpenoids, steroids, organic acids and other chemical constituents. Pharmacological effects such as photo-protective, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic and lipid lowering, antioxidant, anti-inflammation, antifungal, antimalarial, increased bone mineral density, as well as vasorelaxant and antitumour activity were wildly reported. In this study, botanical resources, ethnopharmacological application, chemical constituents and bioactivities, as well as safety and toxicity of clinical applications of genus Cichorium were reviewed, which may provide a reliable basis for further development and utilization of Cichorium genetic resources.
ABSTRACT
Yuanhuacine is a daphne-type diterpene isolated from Daphne genkwa. It is also isolated from the plant of Daphne and Euphorbia. With the further research on yuanhuacine, it has been found that yuanhuacine has strong anti-tumor activity, and it also exhibits significant anti-virus, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-fertility activities. Yuanhuacine can enter various tissues with the blood, and pass through the blood-brain barrier. The bioavailability of yuanhuacine is good, which has potential therapeutic significance for the lesions of all tissues. However, the researches on yuanhuacine mainly focus on the preclinical research and yuanhuacine is only used to induce labor clinically. The purpose of this study is to systematically summarize and analyze the pharmacological activity, drug metabolism in vivo, and clinical application of yuanhuacine, so as to provide a theoretical basis for its development and application.
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As one of classical prescriptions, Xitong Pill was first recorded in Shihong Mao's "Ji Shi Yang Sheng Ji" in the fifty-sixth year of Emperor Qianlong (1791), with the functions of clearing heat, eliminating dampness, dispelling wind and relieving pain, to treat wind-damp-heat arthralgia syndrome, which clinically contains gout, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases. Xitong Pill, as the Chinese Medicine prescription, is only consisted of two herbs, Siegesbeckia and Clerodendrum trichotomum, and widely used in clinic alone or combined with other classic prescriptions due to its precisely compatibility and significant curative effects. In this paper, herbological study and clinical application of Xitong Pill were reviewed, as well as research progresses of main chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of herbs in the formula, by analyzing ancient Chinese herbal medicine books and modern literatures, in order to provide a reference of Xitong Pill for clinical applications and further research on its pharmacological mechanisms.
ABSTRACT
Lycium ruthenicum is a kind of medicinal and edible plant with excellent health-care effect, which is a unique medicinal plant in the desert region of northwest China. Phytochemical investigations have identified that the fruit of this herb contains a variety of bioactive ingredients, including anthocyanins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and polysaccharides, as well as of fatty acids, amino acids, and some trace elements (such as manganese, selenium, and zinc, etc). Modern pharmacological researches have demonstrated that both the extract of L. ruthenicum and its constituents exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity, cardiovascular and liver protection, as well as immune-regulatory activity. The chemical constituents of L. ruthenicum and their pharmacological effects are systematically summarized in this paper, and all information presented here may strongly facilitate further investigations on the pharmacological activities of this herb and the development and applications of the related products of this herb.
ABSTRACT
Suanzaoren Decoction is a classic prescription for nourishing the heart and liver, nourishing blood and tranquilizing the mind. It has the functions of sedation and hypnosis, anti-anxiety, anti-depression, anti-convulsion and so on. Modern clinic is mostly used to treat different types of insomnia, depression, neurasthenia, tension headache and vertigo. In this paper, the chemical consti-tuents, pharmacological effects and clinical application of Suanzaoren Decoction are reviewed. Based on this, the quality marker(Q-marker) of Suanzaoren Decoction was predicted and analyzed according to the "five principles" of Q-marker of traditional Chinese medicine--transmission and traceability, specificity, effectiveness, measurability and compatibility environment of compound prescriptions. The results indicated that jujuboside, spinosin, ferulic acid, senkyunolide Ⅰ, sarsasapogenin, mangiferin, liquiritoside and glycyrrhizic acid were predicted and analyzed, and those can be used as Q-markers of Suanzaoren Decoction. Subsequently, the above components can be selected as indicators to control and evaluate the quality of Suanzaoren Decoction and its preparations, and establish a quality traceability system.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Humans , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Sleep Initiation and Maintenance DisordersABSTRACT
Syringa plants are of important value in ornamental, economic and medical fields. The terpenoids in Syringa plants mainly include iridoids, sesquiterpenoids, and triterpenoids, most showing activities such as cardioprotective, neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, anti-flu virus, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidation effects. Among the above active compounds, sesquiterpenoids have attracted increasing attention. In this review, the phytochemical and pharmacological activities of Syringa terpenoids were summarized in order to provide an overview for further research and development of Syringa plants.
Subject(s)
Phytochemicals , Sesquiterpenes , Syringa , Terpenes , TriterpenesABSTRACT
Emodin (1, 3, 8-trihydroxy-6-methylanthraquinone) is a derived anthraquinone compound extracted from roots and barks of pharmaceutical plants, including Rheum palmatum, Aloe vera, Giant knotweed, Polygonum multiflorum and Polygonum cuspidatum. The review aims to provide a scientific summary of emodin in pharmacological activities and toxicity in order to identify the therapeutic potential for its use in human specific organs as a new medicine. Based on the fundamental properties, such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antivirs, anti-diabetes, immunosuppressive and osteogenesis promotion, emodin is expected to become an effective preventive and therapeutic drug of cancer, myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, diabetes, acute pancreatitis, asthma, periodontitis, fatty livers and neurodegenerative diseases. This article intends to provide a novel insight for further development of emodin, hoping to reveal the potential of emodin and necessity of further studies in this field.
ABSTRACT
Rhinacanthus nasutus is the shrubs of Acanthacesa of Rhinacanthus nasutus. It has been used as traditional Zhuang medicine for thousands of years, with antipyretic and alexipharmic, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic and expectorant effects. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that R. nasutus has been used for treatment of various diseases, including pneumonia, gastritis and hepatitis. In addition, naphthoquinone esters isolated from this plant exhibits antitumor, antiviral, antifungal, and immunomodulatory activities, with a high application value. Scholars at home and abroad have isolated a variety of compounds from R. nasutus, including 20 naphthoquinones, organic acids, lignans, alkaloids and other structural types of components. Among them, naphthoquinones have a variety of biological activities. Up to now, there are no systematic and comprehensive report on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of naphthoquinones. In this review, we summarized the chemical constituents of naphthoquinones with pharmacological activity, finding that R. nasutus and naphthoquinones have a great potential to be developed as a traditional Chinese medicine for tumors, diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver, which can provide an important scientific basis for defining the pharmacodynamic basis of the pharmacological activities and a reference for further research and comprehensive utilization of Zhuang medicine of Rhinacanthus nasutus.
ABSTRACT
Taohong Siwutang is a classical famous formula for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. This paper reviewed the research progress of chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, clinical applications of Taohong Siwutang in recent years. At present, the study on the chemical constituents of different extracts of Taohong Siwutang is systematic. The study of its pharmacological effects mostly includes promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, regulating menstruation, promoting fracture healing, and so on. In clinical practice, Taohong Siwutang can be used in the treatment of multi-system and multi-viscera diseases, such as gynecological diseases, internal diseases, orthopedic diseases, dermatological diseases, and the like. Based on this, the quality markers of Taohong Siwutang are predicted and analyzed from the perspectives of quality transmissibility and traceability, ingredient specificity, component validity, component measurability, and formula compatibility environment, which is called five principles of quality marker (Q-marker). According to the analysis, ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, amygdalin, albiflorin, hydroxysafflor yellow A, catalpol and gallic acid can be selected as Q-markers of Taohong Siwutang. Subsequently, these Q-markers can be selected as indicators to conduct whole quality control of Taohong Siwutang and establish a quality traceable system by the quality transmitting of medicinal materials, decoction pieces, intermediates and corresponding objects, so as to provide a reference for the study of the whole process quality control system of Taohong Siwutang.