Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacodynamics, Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity.

Abstract

Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus (FTB) has been widely used as an antitussive herb for thousands of years in China. However, FTB's traditional uses, chemical compounds and pharmacological activities have not been systematically reviewed. This study aimed to review its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and toxicity. We searched the Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine to explore the historical records which indicate that it acts to clear heat, resolve phlegm, relieve cough, remove toxicity and disperse abscesses and nodules. We searched 11 databases to identify potential phytochemical or pharmacological studies. Characteristics of its chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, pharmacokinetic and toxicity were descriptively summarized. A total of 9706 studies were identified and 83 of them were included. As a result, 134 chemical constituents were identified, including 26 alkaloids, 29 compounds found in essential oils, 13 diterpenoids, two carbohydrates, two sterols, 18 amino acids, six nucleosides, four nucleobases, four fatty acids, three lignans, and 27 elements. Thirteen pharmacological effects of FTB were identified, including anti-cancer, tracheobronchial relaxation, antitussive, expectorant, anti-muscarinic, anti-inflammation, anti-thyroid, regulation of blood rheology, antiulcer, anti-diarrhea, pain suppression, antioxidation and neuroprotection. These pharmacological activities may be mainly attributed to the alkaloids in FTB. Further phytochemical, pharmacological and network pharmacological studies are recommended.

• Authors: Hong Li, Andrew Hung, Mingdi Li, Angela Wei Hong Yang
• Journal: International journal of molecular sciences (Int J Mol Sci) Vol. 20 Issue 7 (Apr 03 2019) ISSN: 1422-0067 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 30987173 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Phytochemicals
• Plant Extracts

Topics

• Animals
• Asteraceae (chemistry)
• Humans
• Phytochemicals (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, toxicity)
• Toxicity Tests