The Genus Gnaphalium L. (Compositae): Phytochemical and Pharmacological Characteristics

Molecules

Xing Zheng²  Wei Wang¹  Huishan Piao²  Weiqiang Xu¹  Haibo Shi¹ 

[1] Institute of Phytochemistry, Jilin Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences, Changchun 130012, Jilin, China; E-Mail:;College of Pharmacy, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, Jilin, China; E-Mail:

关键词: Gnaphalium;    chemical constituents;    biological activities;   

DOI  :  10.3390/molecules18078298

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The genus Gnaphalium, a herb distributed worldwide, comprises approximately 200 species of the Compositae (Asteraceae) family that belongs to the tribe Gnaphalieae. Some species are traditionally used as wild vegetables and in folk medicine. This review focuses on the phytochemical investigations and biological studies of plants from the genus Gnaphalium over the past few decades. More than 125 chemical constituents have been isolated from the genus Gnaphalium, including flavonoids, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, triterpenes, phytosterols, anthraquinones, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, and other compounds. The extracts of this genus, as well as compounds isolated from it, have been demonstrated to possess multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antibacterial and antifungal, anti-complement, antitussive and expectorant, insect antifeedant, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antihypouricemic properties. The present review compiles the information available on this genus because of its relevance to food and ethnopharmacology and the potential therapeutic uses of these species.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.