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Review
. 2017:2017:7597596.
doi: 10.1155/2017/7597596. Epub 2017 May 16.

Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Fude Yang  1 , Xiaoxv Dong  2 , Xingbin Yin  2 , Wenping Wang  2 , Longtai You  2 , Jian Ni  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Radix Bupleuri: A Review of Traditional Uses, Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, and Toxicology

Fude Yang et al. Biomed Res Int. 2017.

Abstract

Radix Bupleuri (Chaihu) has been used as a traditional medicine for more than 2000 years in China, Japan, Korea, and other Asian countries. Phytochemical studies demonstrated that this plant contains essential oils, triterpenoid saponins, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, lignans, fatty acids, and sterols. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from Radix Bupleuri exhibited various biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antipyretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory effects. However, Radix Bupleuri could also lead to hepatotoxicity, particularly in high doses and with long-term use. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that the major bioactive compounds (saikosaponins a, b2, c, and d) were absorbed rapidly in rats after oral administration of the extract of Radix Bupleuri. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, and pharmacokinetics of Radix Bupleuri reported to date with an emphasis on its biological properties and mechanisms of action.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The whole plant of Bupleurum chinense DC. (A); the whole plant of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (B); the roots of Bupleurum chinense DC (C); the roots of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (D).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Chemical structures of triterpenoid saponins.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Chemical structures of polyacetylenes.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Chemical structures of flavonoids.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Chemical structures of lignans.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Chemical structures of other compounds.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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