Dendropanax Morbiferus and Other Species from the Genus Dendropanax: Therapeutic Potential of Its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology

Abstract

The Dendropanax genus is a kind of flowering plant in the family of Araliaceae that encompasses approximately 91 to 95 species. Several Dendropanax species are used as traditional medicinal plants, extensively used Korea and South America and other parts of the world. Almost every part of the plant, including the leaves, bark, roots, and stems, can be used as traditional medicine for the prevention and management of a broad spectrum of health disorders. This paper sought to summarizes the ethnopharmacological benefits, biological activities, and phytochemical investigations of plants from the genus Dendropanax, and perhaps to subsequently elucidate potential new perspectives for future pharmacological research to consider. Modern scientific literature suggests that plants of the Dendropanax genus, together with active compounds isolated from it, possess a wide range of therapeutic and pharmacological applications, including antifungal, anti-complement, antioxidant, antibacterial, insect antifeedant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, and anti-hypouricemic properties. The botanical descriptions of approximately six to 10 species are provided by different scientific web sources. However, only six species, namely, D. morbiferus, D. gonatopodus, D. dentiger, D. capillaris, D. chevalieri, and D. arboreus, were included in the present investigation to undergo phytochemical evaluation, due to the unavailability of data for the remaining species. Among these plant species, a high concentration of variable bioactive ingredients was identified. In particular, D. morbifera is a traditional medicinal plant used for the multiple treatment purposes and management of several human diseases or health conditions. Previous experimental evidence supports that the D. morbifera species could be used to treat various inflammatory disorders, diarrhea, diabetes, cancer, and some microbial infections. It has recently been reported, by our group and other researchers, that D. morbifera possesses a neuroprotective and memory-enhancing agent. A total of 259 compounds have been identified among six species, with 78 sourced from five of these species reported to be bioactive. However, there is no up-to-date information concerning the D. morbifera, its different biological properties, or its prospective benefits in the enhancement of human health. In the present study, we set out to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the botany, traditional medicinal history, and medicinal resources of species of the Dendropanax genus. In addition, we explore several phytochemical constituents identified in different species of the Dendropanax genus and their biological properties. Finally, we offer comprehensive analysis findings of the phytochemistry, medicinal uses, pharmacological actions, and a toxicity and safety evaluation of the D. morbifera species and its main bioactive ingredients for future consideration.

Keywords: Dendropanax; anti-inflammation; antioxidant; neuroprotective; oxidative stress; phytoconstituents.

Figure 1

Pharmacological activities of D. Morbiferus.

Figure 2

Global distribution (Green dots) map of Dendropanax showing the abundance in worldwide (http://www.ipni.org and http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/). The Google maps occurrence of the species within southwestern region countries is shown in red dots (https://images.app.goo.gl/wCJHWkM4fDJBFakr5).

Figure 3

Neuroprotective and memory enhancing effect on D. morbifera. MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; NFκB: Nuclear factor kappa B; NO: Nitric oxide; iNOS: Inducible nitric oxide synthase; COX-2: Cyclooxygenase-2; IL-1β: Interleukin 1 beta; IL-6: Interleukin 6; TNF-α: Tumor necrosis factor-alpha; cAMP: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate; CREB: cAMP response element-binding; BDNF: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

Figure 4

Apoptosis induced by D. morbifera in cancer. ROS: reactive oxygen species; MMP: Mitochondrial membrane potential; p38: P38 mitogen-activated protein kinases; ERK: Extracellular Receptor Kinase; Endo G: Endonuclease G; Cyt-C: Cytochrome-C; AIF: Apoptosis inducing factor; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; Bcl2: B-cell lymphoma 2; JAK: janus kinase; p53: tumor protein.

Figure 5

Anti-diabetic effect on D. morbifera. Bcl2: B-cell lymphoma 2; MMP: Mitochondrial membrane potential; Cyt-C: Cytochrome-C; IL-1β: Interleukin 1 beta; IL-10: Interleukin 10; IL-6: Interleukin 6; TGF-β1: Transforming growth factor beta 1; NGAL: KIM1: Kidney injury molecule-1; Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin; SBP1: Selenium binding protein-1; PKM2: Pyruvate kinase muscle isozyme M2; BUN: Blood urea nitrogen; ALT: Alanine amino transferase; AST: Aspartate amino transferase; MDA: Malondialdehyde; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic acid; CAT: Catalase; SOD: Superoxide dismutase; GSH: Reduced glutathione.