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Review
. 2021 Nov 25;26(23):7145.
doi: 10.3390/molecules26237145.

Gelsemium elegans Benth: Chemical Components, Pharmacological Effects, and Toxicity Mechanisms

Hailing Lin  1 , Hongqiang Qiu  1 , Yu Cheng  1 , Maobai Liu  1 , Maohua Chen  1 , Youxiong Que  2 , Wancai Que  1
Affiliations
Review

Gelsemium elegans Benth: Chemical Components, Pharmacological Effects, and Toxicity Mechanisms

Hailing Lin et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Gelsemium elegans Benth (GEB), also known as heartbreak grass, is a highly poisonous plant belonging to the family Loganiaceae and genus Gelsemium that has broad application prospects in medicine. This article reviews its chemical components, pharmacological effects, toxicity mechanisms, and research progress in clinical applications in recent years. Indole alkaloids are the main active components of GEB and have a variety of pharmacological and biological functions. They have anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulation properties, with the therapeutic dose being close to the toxic dose. Application of small-dose indole alkaloids fails to work effectively, while high-dose usage is prone to poisoning, aggravating the patient's conditions. Special caution is needed, especially to observe the changes in the disease condition of the patients in clinical practice. In-depth research on the chemical components and mechanisms of GEB is essential to the development of promising lead compounds and lays the foundation for extensive clinical application and safe usage of GEB in the future.

Keywords: Gelsemium elegans Benth (GEB); mechanisms; pharmacology; toxicology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Overview of GEB.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Six structural categories of GEB alkaloids.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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