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Review
. 2024 Nov 24;29(23):5547.
doi: 10.3390/molecules29235547.

Comprehensive Review on Fruit of Terminalia chebula: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicity, and Pharmacokinetics

Changjian Wang  1 , Hongfei Zhang  1 , Xiangdong Wang  1 , Xinyue Wang  1 , Xinru Li  1 , Cuiying Li  1 , Yuefei Wang  1   2 , Min Zhang  1   2
Affiliations
Review

Comprehensive Review on Fruit of Terminalia chebula: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicity, and Pharmacokinetics

Changjian Wang et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

Terminalia chebula Retz., known for its dried fruit, namely Chebulae Fructus, is a medicinal plant with a long-standing global reputation, which was initially recognized for its therapeutic properties during the Jin Dynasty. This review consolidates current knowledge on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of Chebulae Fructus, highlighting its clinical significance and the promising therapeutic potential of its compounds. To date, studies have identified approximately 149 compounds within the plant, including tannins, phenolic acids, lignans, triterpenes, flavonoids, and volatiles. These compounds confer a broad spectrum of biological activities in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anticancer, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, neuroprotective, and anti-diabetic, some of which are already integrated into clinical practice. However, despite substantial advancements, considerable gaps remain in understanding the complete mechanisms of action, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles of its extracts and compounds. This paper advocates for enhanced focus on these areas to fully elucidate the therapeutic capacities and facilitate the clinical application of Chebulae Fructus. This comprehensive analysis not only reinforces the ethnopharmacological significance of Chebulae Fructus but also lays a foundation for future pharmacological explorations.

Keywords: Chebulae Fructus; pharmacokinetics; pharmacology; phytochemistry; traditional medicine.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A whole Terminalia chebula Retz. plant (A); T. chebula fruits (B); T. chebula dried fruits (C); and a T. chebula global distribution map of the world (D) (reprinted from https://www.gbif.org/species/3189388, accessed on 1 October 2024).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structures of tannins from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structures of tannins from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structures of phenolic acids from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Structures of lignans from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Structures of triterpenoids from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Structures of flavonoids from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Structures of volatiles from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Structures of other chemicals from Chebulae Fructus.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The main pharmacological action of Chebulae Fructus (arrow ↓ means decrease, arrow ↑ means increase).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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