Lin Longfei, Ni Boran, Lin Hongmei, Zhang Miao, Li Xuechun, Yin Xingbin, Qu Changhai, Ni Jian
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, China.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 Jan 15;159:158-83. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.11.009. Epub 2014 Nov 18.
Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., which is known as Heshouwu ( in Chinese) in China. It is traditionally valued and reported for hair-blacking, liver and kidney-tonifying and anti-aging effects as well as low toxicity. The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological research and toxicology of Polygonum multiflorum, based on the scientific literature. Moreover, trends and perspectives for future investigation of this plant are discussed. It will build up a new foundation for further study on Polygonum multiflorum.
A systematic review of the literature on Polygonum multiflorum was performed using several resources, including classic books on Chinese herbal medicine and various scientific databases, such as PubMed, SciFinder, the Web of Science, Science Direct, China Knowledge Resource Integrated (CNKI).
Polygonum multiflorum is widely distributed throughout the world and has been used as a traditional medicine for centuries in China. The ethnomedical uses of Polygonum multiflorum have been recorded in many provinces of China and Japan for nine species of adulterants in six families. More than 100 chemical compounds have been isolated from this plant, and the major components have been determined to be stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids and others. Crude extracts and pure compounds of this plant are used as effective agents in pre-clinical and clinical practice due to their anti-aging, anti-hyperlipidaemia, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects and to promote immunomodulation, neuroprotection, and the curing of other diseases. However, these extracts can also lead to hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity and embryonic toxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that the main components of Polygonum multiflorum, such as 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-d-glucopyranoside and emodin are distributed among many organs and tissues.
Therapeutic potential of Polygonum multiflorum has been demonstrated in the conditions like Alzheimer׳s disease, Parkinson׳s disease, hyperlipidaemia, inflammation and cancer, which is attributed to the presence of various stilbenes, quinones, flavonoids, phospholipids and other compounds in the drug. On the other hand, the adverse effects (hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and embryonic toxicity) of this plant were caused by the quinones, such as emodin and rhein. Thus more pharmacological and toxicological mechanisms on main active compounds are necessary to be explored, especially the combined anthraquinones (Emodin-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, Physcion-8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside, etc.) and the variety of stilbenes.
何首乌在中国被称为“何首乌”。传统上它被认为具有乌发、滋补肝肾、抗衰老作用且毒性较低。本综述旨在基于科学文献，提供关于何首乌的植物学、传统用途、植物化学、药理学研究和毒理学的全面信息。此外，还讨论了该植物未来研究的趋势和前景。这将为进一步研究何首乌奠定新的基础。
利用多种资源对何首乌的文献进行系统综述，包括中药经典书籍以及各种科学数据库，如PubMed、SciFinder、科学引文索引、Science Direct、中国知网（CNKI）。
何首乌在世界各地广泛分布，在中国作为传统药物已使用了几个世纪。在中国许多省份以及日本都记录了何首乌的民族医学用途，涉及六个科的九种掺假品。已从该植物中分离出100多种化合物，主要成分已确定为芪类、醌类、黄酮类等。该植物的粗提物和纯化合物因其抗衰老、抗高血脂、抗癌和抗炎作用以及促进免疫调节、神经保护和治疗其他疾病的作用，在临床前和临床实践中被用作有效药物。然而，这些提取物也可能导致肝毒性、肾毒性和胚胎毒性。药代动力学研究表明，何首乌的主要成分，如2,3,5,4'-四羟基二苯乙烯-2-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷和大黄素分布于许多器官和组织中。
何首乌在阿尔茨海默病、帕金森病、高血脂、炎症和癌症等病症中已显示出治疗潜力，这归因于该药物中存在各种芪类、醌类、黄酮类、磷脂和其他化合物。另一方面，该植物的不良反应（肝毒性、肾毒性和胚胎毒性）是由醌类引起的，如大黄素和rhein。因此，有必要进一步探索主要活性化合物的更多药理和毒理机制，特别是联合蒽醌类（大黄素-8-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷、大黄酚-8-O-β-D-葡萄糖苷等）和多种芪类。
