A systematic review of traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicity of Epimedium koreanum Nakai

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Epimedium koreanum Nakai (E. koreanum), a member of the genus Epimedium in the family Berberidaceae, is a well-known and well-liked traditional herb used as a "kidney tonic". For thousands of years, it has been utilized for renal yang deficiency, impotence, spermatorrhea, impotence, weakness of tendons and bones, rheumatic paralysis and discomfort, numbness, and constriction.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The paper aims to comprehensively in-depth, and methodically review the most recent research on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of E. koreanum.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, ScienceDirect, Baidu Scholar, and CNKI and medicine books in China were searched for relevant information on E. koreanum.

RESULTS

In traditional uses, E. koreanum is frequently used to treat various diseases like erectile dysfunction, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, kidney-yang deficiency syndrome, etc. To date, more than 379 compounds have been discovered from various parts of E. koreanum, including flavonoids, lignans, organic acids, terpenoids, hydrocarbons, dihydrophenanthrene derivatives, alkaloids, and others. Research has revealed that the compounds and crude extracts have a wide range of pharmacological effects on the reproductive, cardiovascular, and nervous systems, as well as anti-osteoporosis, anti-tumor, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and antiviral properties. Besides, the crude extracts show potential hepatotoxicity.

CONCLUSION

Based on recent domestic and international research investigations, E. koreanum contains a wealth of chemical components with pronounced pharmacological activities. Its traditional uses are numerous, and the majority of these traditional uses have been supported by contemporary pharmacological investigations. Crude extracts, on the other hand, can result in hepatotoxicity. Therefore, additional in vivo and in vitro experimental research on the pharmacology and toxicology of E. koreanum are required in the future to assess its safety and efficacy. This will give a firmer scientific foundation for its safe application and the development of new drugs in the future.

Characterization, Antioxidant Potential, and Pharmacokinetics Properties of Phenolic Compounds from Native Australian Herbs and Fruits

In recent decades, plant bioactive phenolic compounds gained much attention due to their various health benefits. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze native Australian river mint (Mentha australis), bush mint (Mentha satureioides), sea parsley (Apium prostratum), and bush tomatoes (Solanum centrale) for their bioactive metabolites, antioxidant potential, and pharmacokinetics properties. LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS was applied to elucidate these plants' composition, identification, and quantification of phenolic metabolites. This study tentatively identified 123 phenolic compounds (thirty-five phenolic acids, sixty-seven flavonoids, seven lignans, three stilbenes, and eleven other compounds). Bush mint was identified with the highest total phenolic content (TPC-57.70 ± 4.57 mg GAE/g), while sea parsley contained the lowest total phenolic content (13.44 ± 0.39 mg GAE/g). Moreover, bush mint was also identified with the highest antioxidant potential compared to other herbs. Thirty-seven phenolic metabolites were semi-quantified, including rosmarinic acid, chlorogenic acid, sagerinic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acid, which were abundant in these selected plants. The most abundant compounds' pharmacokinetics properties were also predicted. This study will develop further research to identify these plants' nutraceutical and phytopharmaceutical potential.