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Review
. 2019 Jul 29;24(15):2749.
doi: 10.3390/molecules24152749.

Genus Periploca (Apocynaceae): A Review of Its Classification, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Toxicology

Mingjin Huang  1   2 , Shoumao Shen  3 , Chunli Luo  4   5 , Yan Ren  6
Affiliations
Review

Genus Periploca (Apocynaceae): A Review of Its Classification, Phytochemistry, Biological Activities and Toxicology

Mingjin Huang et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

The genus Periploca belongs to the family Apocynaceae, which is composed of approximately ten species of plants according to incomplete statistics. Most of these plants serve as folk medicines with a long history, especially Periploca sepium and Periploca forrestii. The botanical classifications, chemical constituents, biological activities and toxicities of the genus Periploca were summarized in the literature from 1897 to early 2019. Though the botanical classification of this genus is controversial, these species are well-known to be rich sources of diverse and complex natural products-above all, cardiac steroids and C21 pregnane steroids with special structures and obvious pharmacological activities. The various crude extracts and 314 isolated metabolites from this genus have attracted much attention in intensive biological studies, indicating that they are equipped with cardiotonic, anti-inflammatory, immunosuppressive, antitumor, antimicrobial, antioxidant, insecticidal and other properties. It is noteworthy that some cardiac glycosides showed hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity at certain doses. Therefore, in view of the medical and agricultural value of the genus Periploca, in-depth investigations of the pharmacology in vivo, the mechanisms of biological actions, and the pharmacokinetics of the active ingredients should be carried out in the future. Moreover, in order to ensure the safety of clinical medication, the potential toxicities of cardiac glycosides or other compounds should also be paid attention. This systematic review provides an important reference base for applied research on pharmaceuticals and pesticides from this genus.

Keywords: biological activities; classification; genus Periploca; phytochemistry; review; toxicology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The outline and some representative plants of the genus Periploca. (Left: The fruits of P. forrestii; Centre: The flowers of P. sepium; Right: The stems of P. forrestii. The center and right pictures were downloaded from Plant Photo Bank of China, PPBC.).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cardenolide-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Cardenolide-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 3
Figure 3
C21 pregnane-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 3
Figure 3
C21 pregnane-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 3
Figure 3
C21 pregnane-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 3
Figure 3
C21 pregnane-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 3
Figure 3
C21 pregnane-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Phytosterol-type steroids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Carbohydrates from the genus Periploca.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Carbohydrates from the genus Periploca.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Terpenoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Terpenoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Phenylpropanoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Phenylpropanoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Flavonoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Flavonoids from the genus Periploca.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Quinones from the genus Periploca.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Aromatics from the genus Periploca.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Other compounds from the genus Periploca.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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