ABSTRACT
Berberine is a naturally occurring benzylisoquinoline alkaloid with a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, anticancer, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic and antidiarrheal. Although berberine has a wide range of curative effects, the extremely low bioavailability (< 1%) limits its clinical application. Pure berberine preparations have not yet been approved for any specific disease. The low oral bioavailability of berberine is mainly due to poor solubility caused by self-aggregation under acidic conditions, low permeability, P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-mediated efflux, and liver and intestine metabolism. To improve the oral bioavailability of berberine, researchers have adopted a variety of strategies, including the application of various nano-delivery systems, penetration enhancers and P-gp inhibitors, structural modifications, and development of berberine derivatives. Improving the oral bioavailability of berberine can improve the pharmacological activity of berberine, reduce the dosage, and then reduce the toxic and side effects. This review summarized the various pharmacological activities, metabolism progress and pharmacokinetic characteristics of berberine, the newly discovered berberine target intestinal microbiota and focused on the strategies to improve the oral bioavailability of berberine by improving solubility and permeability, inhibiting P-gp efflux, and structural modification. The research on berberine was prospected, which provided guidance for the in-depth study of berberine.
ABSTRACT
Blumea balsamifera belonging to Blumea of Compositae family is a perennial herb or subshrub ，which is the only source of Traditional Chinese medicine Aipian and ethnic medicine essential oil of B. balsamifera . B. balsamifera contains volatile oil，flavonoids，sesquiterpenoids，phenylpropanoids，etc.，and shows antibacterial ，anti-inflammatory，analgesic，treating burns and scalds，neuroprotective and antioxidant effects ，etc. In this paper ，the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities are summarized by reviewing the domestic and foreign research literatures ，and it is expected to provide a reference for the in-depth research and development and utilization of B. balsamifera .
ABSTRACT
Dendrobii Caulis are commonly used tonic Chinese medicinal materials with a long history of application. As demonstrated by pharmacological results, the chemical constituents and the extracts of Dendrobii Caulis have anti-inflammatory, antibacte-rial, antioxidant, and anti-tumor effects, and can also regulate immunity, lower blood pressure, and regulate blood sugar. The active ingredients contained are widely concerned by scholars. This paper comprehensively summarized the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Dendrobium plants reported so far. The chemical constituents isolated from Dendrobium plants are mainly alkaloids, sesquiterpenoids, flavonoids, fluorenones, coumarins, bibenzyls, phenanthrenes, lignans, steroids, phenols, and polysaccharides. This paper is expected to provide a reference for further research, development, and utilization of Dendrobium plants.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Dendrobium , Flavonoids , Polysaccharides/pharmacologyABSTRACT
There are 200-500 species of Potentilla(Rosaceae) worldwide, among which 90 species are widely distributed in China and have a long history of ethnic medicinal use. According to our statistics, a total of 367 compounds have been isolated and identified from plants of this genus, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, tannins, and phenylpropanoids. The medicinal materials made from these plants mainly have antioxidative, blood sugar-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, cardiovascular system-protecting, neuroprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. This study systematically reviews the research progress on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Potentilla plants to provide a basis for further research and clinical application.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , PotentillaABSTRACT
Xinjiang is rich in resources of medicinal plants， which are widely used in ethnic medicines because of their remarkable pharmacological activities and safeguard lives and health of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and local health services. The ethnic medicines in Xinjiang are harmonious but different and united in diversity. Besides， they also promote each other and develop together， constituting an inseparable and important part of traditional Chinese medicine in China. Among them， Uygur medicine， Kazak medicine， Kirgiz medicine， Tajik medicine， and Tatar medicine are predominant in regional characteristics， but the development of the ethnic medicine industry in Xinjiang is backward. In recent years， Xinjiang ethnic medicines have been reported to possess significant pharmacological activities， which deserve further development and investigation. However， the development of ethnic medicines in Xinjiang has been restricted severely due to the lack of effective inheritance of practice and experience， weak basic research， insufficient brand awareness， resource destruction， etc. This study analyzed the medicinal value， development status， and prospects of Xinjiang ethnic medicines and summarized the problems in the modernization of ethnic medicines in Xinjiang to provide some scientific references for the follow-up development and clinical application of Xinjiang ethnic medicines， aiming to promote the sustainable development of traditional ethnic medicines of China.
ABSTRACT
Warburgia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) is known by various names, including the East African greenheart, pepper bark tree, and Ugandan greenheart, and has a rich history of extensive use in the treatment of a host of human diseases in many African countries. This review is based on the botany and ethnopharmacological potentials of W. ugandensis for the treatment of pneumonia, asthma, malaria, candidiasis, skin infections, human immunodeficiency virus opportunistic infections, diarrhea, and measles given the common use in the management of these diseases. Extracts from W. ugandensis have strong antimicrobial activities against a broad spectrum of pathogens mainly because of the presence of abundant terpenoids, drimane, and coloratane type sesquditerpenoids amongst which are ugandensial, warburganal, mukaadial, and other secondary metabolites, such as tannins, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and mannitol. This group of compounds gives the plant a high therapeutic value. Based on the review, there is a need for identification and isolation of the highly therapeutic phytochemical constituents and a drive for more preclinical and clinical trials to validate the safety and efficacy of the extracts. This gives basis for the potential development of new therapeutic drugs from the plant.
ABSTRACT
Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a chronic and systemic autoimmune disease with aggressive and symmetrical polyarthritis as the main clinical manifestations. The exact pathogenesis is unknown. Its basic pathological changes include chronic inflammation of the joint synovium， increased joint cavity effusion， pannus formation， gradual cartilage damage and bone erosion， eventually leading to joint deformity and loss of function. It has been found that the onset and development of RA are related to heredity， environment and other factors. The drugs for RA mainly include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs （NSAIDs）， corticosteroids， disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs （DMARDs） and biological agents. However， long-term use of these drugs can cause a variety of side effects and adverse reactions， such as myocardial infarction， peptic ulcer， poor wound healing， and liver and kidney dysfunction. In addition， natural medicines have a good application prospect because of their various pharmacological activities and few side effects. Quercetin is a flavonoid found in Morus alba and tetrandrine， with diverse pharmacological activities， including cardiovascular diseases， joint movement， tumor immunology and so on. Not only have the clinical trials shown good efficacy of quercetin， but the experimental studies have also proven that quercetin can improve RA by reducing inflammatory response， inhibiting the formation of synovial pannus， synovial hyperplasia， neutrophil NETs formation， osteoclast function， regulating Th17/Treg balance and other mechanism. In this article， we will briefly summarize the regulatory mechanism of quercetin and discuss the complexed effect of quercetin on rheumatoid arthritis.
ABSTRACT
The Leguminosae perennial vines of Callerya and Millettia have many species and wide distribution， not only can be used for medicines， but also they have ornamental and insecticidal effects. With increasing demand for Spatholobi Caulis， and the reserves of wild medicinal materials are on the verge of exhaustion， resulting in the increasing number of mixtures and substitutes in the market， which makes it urgent to study the origin of Spatholobi Caulis. By referring to related literature， there are three major origins of Spatholobi Caulis， including Callerya， Millettia and Spatholobus. Callerya is separated from Millettia， they are divided and united for many times， now the official website of Flora of China has accepted the revision of them as two genera. This paper intends to compare the chemical components and pharmacodynamic effects of Callerya and Millettia， aiming to explore the similarities and differences between the two genera， so as to determine the rationality and necessity of separating Callerya from Millettia. After comparing， it was found that the chemical composition and pharmacodynamic effects of the two genera were different， which supported the separation of Callerya from Millettia， and it was not recommended to mix use of them.
ABSTRACT
Seabuckthorn contains flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, polysaccharides, and vitamins, which have anti-inflammation,anti-oxidation, liver protection, anti-cardiovascular disease, anti-aging, immune enhancing, anti-tumor, and anti-bacterial activities.We reviewed the papers focusing on the chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and utilization of seabuckthorn. The quality markers(Q-markers) of seabuckthorn were predicted and analyzed based on original plant phylogeny, chemical composition correlation, traditional medicinal properties, pharmacodynamic correlation, traditional and extended efficacy, pharmacokinetics, metabolic processes, and measurable components. With this review, we aim to provide theoretical reference for the quality control and quality standard establishment of seabuckthorn, so as to promote the rational exploitation and utilization of seabuckthorn resources, and improve the healthy and sustainable development of seabuckthorn industry.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Biomarkers , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Flavonoids , HippophaeABSTRACT
Withania somnifera, also known as Indian ginseng, is an important traditional medicine in the Ayurvedic medical system of India, which has a significant effect of adaptation. Modern studies have shown that the main chemical components of W. somnifera are withanolides, which have antioxidant, anti-tumor, enhancing immunity, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, anti-stress, anti-stress reaction and hypoglycemic activities. Studies on human, animal, mutagenesis, genotoxicity, reproductive toxicity and drug interaction showed that W. somnifera had good safety. Clinical trials have proved that W. somnifera is effective in treating a variety of human diseases. As a famous traditional medicine and modern dietary supplement, it has a high reputation and market in the international health product market, but in China, there is little scientific research, market development, product introduction and application. In this paper, the traditional application, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, safety evaluation and clinical study of the plant were introduced, so as to increase the understanding of the dual use of the plant, and to provide reference for the future introduction of the product, the service to the health of the Chinese people and the promotion of the "double cycle" of the trade of health products between China and the international community.
Subject(s)
Animals , China , Humans , Neoplasms , Plant Extracts , Withania , WithanolidesABSTRACT
Bolbostemma paniculatum is a commonly used Chinese medicinal material effective in clearing heat, removing toxin, eliminating phlegm, and alleviating swelling. The anti-tumor activity it possesses makes it a research hotspot. At present, 76 compounds have been isolated from B. paniculatum, including triterpenoids, sterols, alkaloids, anthraquinones, organic acids, etc., with anti-tumor, antiviral, and immunosuppressive pharmacological activities. This study reviewed the research on the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of B. paniculatum over the past 20 years, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the research on the pharmacodynamic material basis and promote the development and utilization of B. paniculatum.
Subject(s)
Cucurbitaceae , Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology , Edema , TriterpenesABSTRACT
Due to their fascinating chemical structures and extensive pharmacological activities, polycyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinols(PPAPs) have become one of the current research hotspots of natural products. In particular, some of the PPAPs not only have novel non-traditional skeleton types, but also contain more unknown possible activities, which are of great significance for the development of lead compounds. The structure, source, biosynthetic pathway and pharmacological activities of PPAPs with non-traditio-nal skeleton types isolated and identified in recent years are reviewed, in order to provide references for further research on such compounds.
Subject(s)
Biological Products , Hypericum , Molecular Structure , PhloroglucinolABSTRACT
Lycii Cortex, the dry root bark of Lycium barbarum(Solanaceae), is rich in chemical compositions with unique structures, such as organic acids, lipids, alkaloids, cyclopeptides and other components, and plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. It has the effect of cooling blood and removing steam, clearing lung and reducing fire. It is mainly used in the treatment of hot flashes due to Yin deficiency, hectic fever with night sweat, cough, hemoptysis and internal heat and diabetes. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the crude extract or monomer of Lycii Cortex has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as hypoglycemic, hypotensive, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. In this paper, the chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of Cortex Lycii were reviewed in order to further clarify its effective substances, promote the development of medical undertakings, and ensure the "Healthy China" plan.
Subject(s)
China , Hypoglycemic Agents , Lycium , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Plant BarkABSTRACT
Saussurea involucrata,a traditional Chinese medicinal material,is effective in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with cold-dampness blockage syndrome,cold pain in lower abdomen,and menstrual irregularities. However,due to the specific habitat,low natural reproduction rate,slow growth,and overexploitation,it is at the high risk of extinction. S. involucrata cells can be obtained through callus culture,suspension culture,and hairy root culture. This study highlighted the influences of reactor type,culture system,precursor,elicitor type, and light wavelength on the suspension culture of S. involucrate cells. The chemical components of S. involucrata cells mainly include phenylpropanoids,flavonoids,lignans,and steroids,among which phenylpropanoids are the most abundant. S. involucrata cells have multiple pharmacological activities of anti-inflammation,analgesia,activating blood and resolving stasis,immunoregulation,increasing bone density,lowering blood lipids,anti-hypoxia,anti-exercise fatigue,anti-radiation,anti-obesity,and anti-oxidation. Moreover,it has the potential of treating aplastic anemia. This study reviews the cell culture technologies,chemical components,and pharmacological activities of S. involucrata cells,laying a basis for the further research,development,and utilization.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Flavonoids , Humans , Plant Extracts , SaussureaABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate Erythrina alkaloids from the stems of Erythrina corallodendron. Eighteen Erythrina alkaloids were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the stems of E. corallodendron by silica gel,octadecyl silica( ODS),Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography and preparative HPLC. With nuclear magnetic resonance( NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry( MS),their structures were identified as crstanine A( 1),erytharbine( 2),cristamine C( 3),( +)-erystramindine( 4),10,11-dioxoerythraline( 5),8-oxoerythraline( 6),8-oxo-11β-methoxyerythradine( 7),11-methoxyerythradine( 8),( ±)-11-epi-methoxyerythraline( 9),( +)-erythraline( 10),crystamidine( 11),8-oxoerythrinine( 12),( +)-11α-hydroxyerysotrine( 13),erythrinine( 14),erysodine( 15),erysotrine-N-oxide( 16),( +)-erythratidine( 17),erythratine( 18). Compounds 1-4,7,9,11,13,16 and 17 were isolated from E. corallodendron for the first time. Furthermore,the cytotoxic activities of these Erythrina alkaloids were screened by MTT assay. The results showed that all compounds had no obvious cytotoxic activity. The analgesic activities of compounds1,6 and 8 were evaluated using an acetic acid-induced writhing test in mice. The writhing inhibition rates of compounds 1,6 and 8 at20 mg·kg~(-1)( ip) were 69%,70% and 62%,respectively( P<0. 01),indicating they have significant analgesic activity.
Subject(s)
Alkaloids , Animals , Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid , Erythrina , Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy , Mass Spectrometry , MiceABSTRACT
As a traditional Chinese medicinal material, Lonicera japonica has a long medicinal history. The chemical constituents of Lonicera japonica are complex, mainly including iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, triterpenes, organic acids and volatile oil. Iridoid glycosides account for a higher proportion. In addition, modern pharmacological studies have shown that the iridoid glycosides have many pharmacological activities such as antivirus, anti-inflammation, anti-tumor, liver protection and lowering blood sugar. This review intends to systematically summarize the iridoid glycosides identified from Lonicera japonica and their pharmacological activities by searc-hing Chinese and English databases, in order to provide a reference for the further development and utilization of Lonicera japonica and for the improvement of quality standards of medicinal materials.
Subject(s)
Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Flavonoids , Glycosides/pharmacology , Iridoid Glycosides/pharmacology , Lonicera , Plant ExtractsABSTRACT
Zanthoxyli Radix is a traditional Chinese medicine. It can be used for the treatment of wind-cold-dampness arthralgia, muscle and bone pain, fall fracture, hernia, sore throat, toothache and other diseases. Due to possessing many excellent and mild pharmacological properties, there are lots of reports about Zanthoxyli Radix worldwide. At present, more than 100 bioactive components have been extracted and purified from Zanthoxyli Radix. Nitidine chloride (NC), one of the most important alkaloids in Zanthoxyli Radix, has the activities of anti-tumor, anti-inflammation, anti-bacteria, etc. In this review, we summarize the chemical components of Zanthoxyli Radix, pharmacological activity and mechanism of action of NC to provide references for further research and utilization of Zanthoxyli Radix.
ABSTRACT
The outbreak of COVID-19 posed a huge threat to human health and social stability. With the rapid spread of the virus around the world, the drug development and related research of novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) have become an urgent issue in the medical field. COVID-19 fails into the category of epidemics in the theory of TCM. LHQW capsule has repeatedly played an important role in many major epidemics. Previous studies have shown that LHQW capsule can inhibit the biological activity of varied viruses including MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The paper summarizes the relevant research data and achievements of LHQW capsule in the past few years, reviews the chemical constituents, clinical efficacy and pharmacological effects of LHQW capsule, and provides scientific basis for the anti-virus mechanism of LHQW capsule and clinical treatment of COVID-19.
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To explore the effect of light intensity in cultivating environment on the hepetoprotective activity of Sedum sarmentosum, S. sarmentosum were planted under five water treatments for 60 days, namely 100% full sunlight(G1), 77% full sunlight(G2), 60% full sunlight(G3), 38% full sunlight(G4), and 16% full sunlight(G5) and CCl_4 drug-induced liver injury model in vitro was used. Cell viability, cell cycle, and cell apoptosis were individually detected by MTT, PI single staining, and Annexin-V FITC/PI double staining assays. Additionally, ALT, AST and antioxidant index in supernatant were determined by colorimetry. And the relationship among the protective effects, chemical composition and antioxidant activity were also analyzed. The results showed that S. sarmentosum aqueous extract could significantly improve the HepG2 cell viability. Among the five S. sarmentosum groups, the cell viability of G1(100% full sunlight) treatment was the highest, and the cell apoptosis was the least. Meanwhile, the level of ALT, AST, and MDA in G1 was the lowest, but it achieved the highest level of SOD and GSH. Moderate light shading(60% full light) also improved the effect of protecting liver and reducing the enzyme. It was found that cell viability was positively correlated with ferricion reducing capacity. ALT activity was positively correlated with isorhamnetin content. Taken together, different light intensity had great influence on hepatoprotective effect of S. sarmentosum, which may be related to its antioxidant capacity. From the perspective of hepetoprotective activity, S. sarmentosum should be planted under full light.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Hep G2 Cells , Humans , Liver , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Sedum , WaterABSTRACT
Kudzu plants in the subfamily sphenoideae of Leguminosae are commonly used herbs in China, Japan, Korea, India and Thailand, with a long history of medicinal use. They are recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Japanese Pharmacopeia, Korea Pharmacopeia, Ayurveda Pharmacopoeia of India and Flora of Thailand. There are 15-20 species of Pueraria in the world, including 7 species and 2 varieties in China. At present, there are 6 species with medicinal value, such as Pueraria lobata and P. thomsonii. The main chemical components of the genus are isoflavones, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, coumarins, puerarin glycosides and benzopyrans. A total of 240 compounds have been isolated and identified from this genus, and their pharmacological effects mainly include improvement of the cardiovascular system, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-alcoholic and estrogen-like effects. In this study, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Pueraria at home and abroad were systematically summarized, in order to provide references for the material basis, quality control and further development of Pueraria genus.