Liu Xiaofeng, Yang Zichao, Han Minjun, Zhang Yao, Muhammad Hussain, Zhong Hao, Guan Rongfa
College of Food Science and Technology, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Chem and Bio Processing Technology of Farm Produces, School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
Nutrients. 2025 Apr 29;17(9):1501. doi: 10.3390/nu17091501.
Y. C. Ma (), a holoparasitic desert plant traditionally revered as "desert ginseng", has emerged as a versatile resource with significant applications in both medicinal and dietary contexts. This comprehensive review systematically explores its bioactive constituents, including phenylethanol glycosides (PhGs), iridoids, lignans, and polysaccharides, and elucidates their multifaceted pharmacological properties. Contemporary research substantiates the therapeutic potential of , demonstrating its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. Mechanism analysis elucidated its anti-fatigue and immune-enhancing activities, primarily through the modulation of pivotal signaling pathways, including NF-κB, AMPK, and TLR4. The review also highlights recent regulatory advancements in China, which have approved as a functional food ingredient, complementing its traditional uses in kidney yang tonification and promoting intestinal health. Despite its promising attributes, challenges related to sustainable cultivation and clinical application remain. By integrating ethnopharmacological wisdom with modern scientific evidence, this work lays a robust foundation for advancing the applications of in nutraceuticals and therapeutics.
锁阳（Y. C. Ma），一种全寄生的沙漠植物，传统上被誉为“沙漠人参”，已成为一种具有多种用途的资源，在医药和饮食领域都有重要应用。这篇综述系统地探讨了其生物活性成分，包括苯乙醇苷（PhGs）、环烯醚萜、木脂素和多糖，并阐明了它们多方面的药理特性。当代研究证实了锁阳的治疗潜力，表明其具有抗炎、抗氧化、抗肿瘤、神经保护和免疫调节作用。机制分析阐明了其抗疲劳和增强免疫的活性，主要是通过调节关键信号通路，包括核因子κB（NF-κB）、腺苷酸活化蛋白激酶（AMPK）和Toll样受体4（TLR4）。该综述还强调了中国最近的监管进展，中国已批准锁阳作为一种功能性食品成分，补充了其在补肾壮阳和促进肠道健康方面的传统用途。尽管其具有诸多有前景的特性，但与可持续种植和临床应用相关的挑战仍然存在。通过将民族药理学知识与现代科学证据相结合，这项工作为推进锁阳在营养保健品和治疗领域的应用奠定了坚实基础。
