ArticleLiterature Review

Traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Codonopsis : A review

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Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Species of the genus Codonopsis are perennial herbs mainly distributed throughout East, Southeast and Central Asia. As recorded, they have been used as traditional Chinese medicines since the Qing Dynasty, where they were claimed for strengthening the spleen and tonifying the lung, as well as nourishing blood and engendering liquid. Some species are also used as food materials in southern China and Southeast Asia, such as tea, wine, soup, plaster, and porridge. Aim of the review: The review aims to assess the ethnopharmacological uses, explicit the material basis and pharmacological action, promote the safety of medical use, and suggest the future research potentials of Codonopsis. Materials and methods: Information on the studies of Codonopsis was collected from scientific journals, books, and reports via library and electronic data search (PubMed, Elsevier, Scopus, Google Scholar, Springer, Science Direct, Wiley, Researchgate, ACS, EMBASE, Web of Science and CNKI). Meanwhile, it is also obtained from published works of material medica, folk records, ethnopharmacological literatures, PhD and Masters Dissertation. Plant taxonomy is confirmed to the database "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). Results: Codonopsis has been used for medicinal purposes all around the world. Some species are also used as food materials in southern China and Southeast Asia. The chemical constituents of Codonopsis mainly are polyacetylenes, polyenes, flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, coumarins, terpenoids, steroids, organic acids, saccharides, and so on. Extract of Codonopsis exhibit extensive pharmacological activities, including immune function regulation, hematopoiesis improvement, cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, gastrointestinal function regulation, endocrine function regulation, cytotoxic and antibacterial effects, anti-aging and anti-oxidation, etc.. Almost no obvious toxicity or side effect are observed and recorded for Codonopsis. Conclusions: The traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Codonopsis are reviewed in this paper. Species of the genus have long been used as traditional medicines and food materials, they were reported with a large number of chemical constituents with different structures, extensive pharmacological activities in immune system, blood system, digestive system, etc. and almost no toxicity. More profound studies on less popular species, pharmacodynamic material basis and pharmacological mechanism, and quality assurance are suggested to be carried out to fulfil the research on the long-term clinical use and new drug research of Codonopsis.

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... (C. pilosula), is distributed worldwide [1] . CR has great medicinal and nutritional values. ...
... Its usage extends beyond being a traditional remedy and also serves as a dietary supplement across Asian countries, including China, Japan, Korea, and Singapore. It can be incorporated into various preparations such as tea, alcoholic beverages, soups, and porridge [1,2] . ...
... Immune active components in CR Various active substances have been found in CR including saccharides, alkaloids, alkynes, polyacetylenes, flavonoids, lignans, steroids, terpenoids, organic acids, and volatile oils. Detailed structural information regarding these components has been presented in previously published reviews [1,7] . It is worth noting that saccharides, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids are the main immunoactive substances in CR. ...
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Recent research has highlighted the potential of Codonopsis Radix to modulate the immune system, making it a promising candidate for treating chronic inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, tumors, and aging. However, because of the complex immune activities of its various components, a comprehensive understanding of Codonopsis Radix immune-regulating properties is still lacking. This knowledge gap hinders its widespread utilization in clinical practice. Therefore, this review aimed to assess the impact of Codonopsis Radix on the immune system and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Additionally, we compared the immunomodulatory effects of different active ingredients derived from Codonopsis Radix to provide a theoretical basis for future investigations on immunomodulation.
... Therefore, the name "Dangshen" is intended to convey the combination of the morphology of the root of CP and its tonic effect. Since the Qing Dynasty (Gao et al., 2018), CP has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years, and it is widely used in medicine in China, Japan, Korea and other countries (Luan et al., 2021). ...
... However, with the continuous development of modern pharmacology, studies have gradually revealed the critical role of CP in the fields of neuroprotection, anti-aging, antioxidant and antitumor (Lan et al., 2023). CP is rich in polysaccharides, ginsenosides, alkaloids, flavonoids and other complex active ingredients (Gao et al., 2018;Bailly, 2021;Luan et al., 2021). These active ingredients have a wide range of roles in the digestive system, metabolic system, nervous system, cardiovascular system and cancer treatment. ...
... As a traditional medicinal plant, CP is also known as the poor man's "ginseng" (Jolly et al., 2024). It is rich in polysaccharides, ginsenosides, alkaloids, flavonoids and other complex active ingredients (Gao et al., 2018;Bailly, 2021;Luan et al., 2021). This review summarizes the research on CP active ingredients in the last 5 years (Supplementary Table S2), and the analysis reveals that among CP active ingredients, CPPs are the most abundantly researched. ...
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As a traditional Chinese medicinal herb with a long history, Codonopsis pilosula (CP) has attracted much attention from the medical community in recent years. This review summarizes the research progress of CP in the medical field in the past 5 years. By searching and analyzing the literature, and combining with Cytoscape software, we comprehensively examined the role and mechanism of action of CP in individual application, combination drug application, and the role and mechanism of action of codonopsis pilosula’s active ingredients in a variety of diseases. It also analyzes the medicinal use of CP and its application value in medicine. This review found that CP mainly manifests important roles in several diseases, such as cardiovascular system, nervous system, digestive system, immune system, etc., and regulates the development of many diseases mainly through the mechanisms of inflammation regulation, oxidative stress, immunomodulation and apoptosis. Its rich pharmacological activities and diverse medicinal effects endow CP with broad prospects and application values. This review provides valuable reference and guidance for the further development of CP in traditional Chinese medicine.
... Reportedly, the State Food and Drug Administration has approved nearly 200 health foods containing Codonopsis radix for production and sale (Gao et al., 2018a). Reportedly, the State Food and Drug Administration has approved nearly 200 health foods containing Codonopsis radix for production and sale (Gao et al., 2018b). Therefore, Codonopsis radix is a plant medicine with significant development potential and has become a focal point in modern traditional Chinese medicine research. ...
... Codonopsis plants encompasses a diverse array of chemical components, such as sugars, flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, alkaloids, resinous substances, and more. Despite this, there is currently an absence of a well-defined quality evaluation standard for Codonopsis radix (Gao et al., 2018b;Luan et al., 2021). Notably, the 2020 edition of the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" mandates the evaluation of Codonopsis radix solely based on morphology, microscopy, and thin-layer chromatography. ...
... It might also be advantageous for conditions involving stomach and uterus displacement. The Bu-fei Decoction is renowned for its capacity to strengthen the lungs and enhance qi levels, while the Sheng-mai Powder is frequently prescribed for conditions like thirst due to insufficient body fluid and qi (Gao et al., 2018b). Codonopsis radix has been employed as a traditional medicinal remedy not only within China but also across various nations for an extensive duration. ...
Article
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Codonopsis radix is the dried root of C. pilosula (Franch.) Nannf., C. pilosula Nannf. var. modesta (Nannf.) L. T. Shen, or C. tangshen Oliv., constitutes a botanical medicine with a profound historical lineage. It encompasses an array of bioactive constituents, including polyacetylenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, and polysaccharides, conferring upon it substantial medicinal and edible values. Consequently, it has garnered widespread attention from numerous scholars. In recent years, driven by advancements in modern traditional Chinese medicine, considerable strides have been taken in exploring resources utilization, traditional processing, quality evaluation and polysaccharide research of Codonopsis radix. However, there is a lack of systematic and comprehensive reporting on these research results. This paper provides a summary of recent advances in Codonopsis research, identifies existing issues in Codonopsis studies, and offers insights into future research directions. The aim is to provide insights and literature support for forthcoming investigations into Codonopsis.
... P. Committee, 2020) due to its extensive pharmacological effects, such as strengthening the spleen, benefiting the lungs, nourishing the blood, and promoting the production of body fluids (C. P. Committee, 2020;Gao et al., 2018;He et al., 2014;Sun et al., 2018a). People in countries such as China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and the United States also use it as a food additive in wine, soup, porridge, etc (Zou et al., 2014;Boo et al., 2017;Gao et al., 2018;Moon et al., 2018). ...
... P. Committee, 2020;Gao et al., 2018;He et al., 2014;Sun et al., 2018a). People in countries such as China, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, and the United States also use it as a food additive in wine, soup, porridge, etc (Zou et al., 2014;Boo et al., 2017;Gao et al., 2018;Moon et al., 2018). ...
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Background Codonopsis pilosula (Campanulaceae) is a traditional herbal plant that is widely used in China, and the drought stress during the seedling stage directly affects the quality, ultimately impacting its yield. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the drought resistance of C . pilosula seedlings remain unclear. Method Herein, we conducted extensive comparative transcriptome and physiological studies on two distinct C. pilosula cultivar (G1 and W1) seedlings subjected to a 4-day drought treatment. Results Our findings revealed that cultivar G1 exhibited enhanced retention of proline and chlorophyll, alongside a marked elevation in peroxidase activity, coupled with diminished levels of malondialdehyde and reduced leaf relative electrolyte leakage compared with cultivar W1. This suggested that cultivar G1 had relatively higher protective enzyme activity and ROS quenching capacity. We discerned a total of 21,535 expressed genes and identified 4,192 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). Our analysis revealed that 1,764 DEGs unique to G1 underwent thorough annotation and functional categorization utilizing diverse databases. Under drought conditions, the DEGs in G1 were predominantly linked to starch and sucrose metabolic pathways, plant hormone signaling, and glutathione metabolism. Notably, the drought-responsive genes in G1 were heavily implicated in hormonal modulation, such as ABA receptor3-like gene ( PYL9 ), regulation by transcription factors ( KAN4 , BHLH80 , ERF1B ), and orchestration of drought-responsive gene expression. These results suggest that cultivar G1 possesses stronger stress tolerance and can better adapt to drought growing conditions. The congruence between qRT-PCR validation and RNA-seq data for 15 DEGs further substantiated our findings. Conclusion Our research provides novel insights into the physiological adaptations of C. pilosula to arid conditions and lays the groundwork for the development of new, drought-tolerant C. pilosula cultivars.
... C. pilosula belongs to the Campanulaceae family, and the raw material obtained from it is rich in triterpenoid saponins (including tangshenosides), sesquiterpenes (such as atractylenolides), alkaloids, phytosterols, essential oil and polysaccharides [17,18,19,20]. Thanks to its ability to increase the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin content in the blood, it is used as a strengthening agent for people who are weak, tired and suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. ...
... Thanks to its ability to increase the number of erythrocytes and hemoglobin content in the blood, it is used as a strengthening agent for people who are weak, tired and suffering from vitamin and mineral deficiencies. In China, C. pilosula root is also used to support anti-cancer treatment and prevent side effects associated with the mentioned therapy, including myelosuppression and immunosuppression [18,19,20,21]. ...
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Wprowadzenie Tradycyjna medycyna wschodnia ( traditional Eastern medicine – TEM) zyskuje coraz większą popularność w wysokorozwiniętych krajach Zachodu jako alternatywna forma wspierania zdrowia i pielęgnacji ciała. Wiele ziół stosowanych w tej praktyce medycznej posiada działanie antyoksydacyjne, przeciwzapalne czy immunomodulujące. Proces starzenia się skóry może postępować wraz z wiekiem, kiedy stopniowo ubywa włókien kolagenowych i elastynowych. Nadmierna ekspozycja na promieniowanie UV, pociągająca za sobą wzrost produkcji wolnych rodników, prowadzi do uszkodzeń na poziomie molekularnym licznych struktur w organizmie i m.in. przyspieszenia starzenia się skóry. Materiał i metody W naparach otrzymanych z surowców pozyskanych z Gynostemma pentaphyllum , Tinospora cordifolia , Astragalus membranaceus , Codonopsis pilosula , Asparagus racemosus oraz Ocimum sanctum określono zawartość związków polifenolowych (m.in. kwasów fenolowych oraz flawonoidów), potencjał antyoksydacyjny (metodami ABTS, DPPH oraz FRAP), a także wpływ na aktywność enzymów – kolagenazy oraz elastazy. Wyniki Najwyższą zawartość związków polifenolowych oraz najsilniejsze właściwości antyoksydacyjne obserwowano w naparach pozyskanych z ziela O. sanctum , natomiast największą zdolność do hamowania kolagenazy i elastazy wykazywały napary pozyskane z liści T. cordifolia . Wnioski Napary z O. sanctum i T. cordifolia mogą wykazywać potencjalnie korzystny wpływ na skórę, a także znaleźć zastosowanie w formulacjach stosowanych jako produkty przeciwstarzeniowe.
... Both herbs are considered to be very effective in the treatment of anemia but also has blood thinning characteristics so not given to patient who are going to have a surgery 46 . ...
... These two roots provide supporting treatment in curing anemia when given with spirulina or any other herbs 46 . ...
Article
This literature investigates the efficacy of herbal remedies in addressing anemia, which is a prevalent blood disorder characterized by insufficient red blood cells to meet the body’s physiological demand. Focusing on sickle cell anemia, bone marrow and stem cell diseases, vitamin deficiency anemia, iron deficiency anemia. The study examines causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and conventional treatments. Sickle cell anemia affecting specific population causes recurrent pain, low red blood cells and infections. Diagnosis involves complete blood cell count (CBC) and hemoglobin electrophoresis with treatments ranging from malaria preventions and bone marrow transplantation. The review also determine bone marrow and stem cell problems like aplastic anemia, its diagnosis and its treatment like stem cell transplant and blood transfusion. In addition the conventional treatment is also explain in this review such that herbal remedies like yellow dock root and stinging nettle, dandelion and burdock, alfalfa, spirulina, parsley and dang quai and many others. The importance of spleen-nourishing food meat and beans rich in iron. The study also brief about the ayurvedic treatments like purgation therapy, punarnava mandura and yoga in regulating blood.
... Traditional Chinese medicine uses the dry roots of C. pilosula as medicine, which has immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and other functions. It can treat diseases such as spleen and lung qi deficiency, cough and asthma, and qi and blood deficiency (Gao et al. 2018;Luan et al. 2021). At the same time, C. pilosula also contains protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, usually in the form of healthcare products in people s lives, especially for soup, tea, porridge, and wine. ...
... At the same time, C. pilosula also contains protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients, usually in the form of healthcare products in people s lives, especially for soup, tea, porridge, and wine. In addition, a large number of chemical components in the aboveground part of C. pilosula are the same as those in the underground part, which can be processed into feed for sale (Gao et al. 2018;Zou et al. 2020;Luan et al. 2021). ...
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Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. is used as root organ medicine, and ploidy breeding is conducive to its resource development and utilization. The autotetraploid of C. pilosula was induced by colchicine with seeds and sterile stem tips as materials and identified by flow cytometry and chromosome counting. At the same time, based on the diploid proliferation medium, the L9 (3⁴) orthogonal experiment was carried out with 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), and kinetin (KT) as factors to optimize the autotetraploid proliferation medium and realize rooting outside the bottle. Finally, the morphological cell analysis of the autotetraploid was carried out. The results showed that stem tips were more suitable for inducing tetraploid than the seeds. The chromosome number of diploid was 2n=2x=16, and that of tetraploid was 2n=4x=32. Adventitious buds were identified by three consecutive generations, and no ploidy variation appeared. The callus induction and adventitious bud proliferation of the tetraploid stem tip were synchronized in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with 60 mL L⁻¹ coconut juice, 1.0 mg L⁻¹ 6-BA, 0.5 mg L⁻¹ NAA, and 0.1 mg L⁻¹ KT, and the proliferation coefficient was up to 39.69. The rooting rate of tetraploid-regenerated buds outside the bottle was 85.97%, and the survival rate after transplanting was 98.26%. Tetraploid plants exhibited superior characteristics in terms of leaf size, stem diameter, number of branches and leaves, and floral organ size when compared to diploid plants. In addition, the induction method of diploid stem tips soaked in a colchicine sterile solution and then cultured in the colchicine-containing medium greatly improved the induction rate of tetraploid. In this study, the autotetraploid of C. pilosula was successfully induced, and the artificial efficient regeneration system of tetraploid C. pilosula was established, which provided an effective way for the optimization of C. pilosula germplasm resources.
... (China Pharmacopoeia Committee, 2020). Codonopsis Radix has been used in the clinical practice of TCM for thousands of years in China as a tonic agent to treat spleen and lung hypofunction manifested by shortness of breath, cough, anorexia, loose stools, palpitations, and a wasting thirst (Gao et al., 2018b). Currently, more than 110 TCM preparations that contain Codonopsis Radix or its extracts are listed in the 2020 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, such as Shengmai decoction, Weikang granules, Buzhongyiqi pills, and Dangshenguben pills (China Pharmacopoeia Committee, 2020). ...
... Codonopsis Radix contains a number of biologically active compounds, including polysaccharides (Kim et al., 2014;Wu et al., 2020;Zou et al., 2020b), lignans (Su et al., 2018), polyynes and polyacetylene glycosides Su et al., 2020;Sun and Liu, 2008), triterpenoids (Zheng et al., 2018), alkaloids (Wakana et al., 2013), sesquiterpenes , flavonoids Vo et al., 2024), and lactones (Tang et al., 2022). Among these bioactives, polysaccharides are the main active ingredients (Gao et al., 2018b;Luan et al., 2021;Zou et al., 2020a). Numerous studies have shown that Codonopsis Radix polysaccharides (CPs) exhibit a wide range of biological and pharmacological activities, including immunomodulatory (Zou et al., 2019), antioxidant , antiviral (Ming et al., 2017), anticancer (Yang et al., 2013), anti-inflammatory (Meng et al., 2020;Tang et al., 2021), gastroprotective (Li et al., 2017), prebiotic (Fu et al., 2018), hypoglycemic , and neuroprotective effects . ...
Article
The roots of Codonopsis pilosula, also known as Codonopsis Radix, or Dangshen in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, are plant parts commonly used for medicine and food. Polysaccharides are the major components found among the various bioactives in Codonopsis Radix and have attracted increasing attention in medicinal and functional foods in China. Currently, the methods reported for extracting Codonopsis Radix polysaccharides (CPs) still suffer from issues such as lengthy processing times, low yields, or high costs. In order to increase the extraction yield of CPs, a process of solid-state fermentation-assisted extraction using a fungus was developed in this study. Strain DS6 of Rhizopus arrhizus was isolated from a microbial enrichment culture on Codonopsis Radix. The yield of CPs was significantly increased after fermentation with DS6. Next, the operating conditions for the fermentation-assisted process of CP extraction were optimized. The yield of CPs extracted from the fermented Codonopsis Radix reached 24.7% ± 0.43%, representing a 46.2% increase compared to the yield of CPs obtained from the unfermented Codonopsis Radix (16.9% ± 0.35%). The CPs extracted using the fermentation-assisted method retained their natural antioxidant activity. In conclusion, this process enhanced the yield of CPs and showed potential for industrial applications.
... tangshen) [3], which has various medicinal properties, such as antidiabetic [4], gastrointestinal protection [5], immunomodulatory [6], anticancer [7] functions and regulate intestinal function [8]. Because of its good nutritional properties, CR is also an important ingredient that is frequently added to meals and is particularly well-liked in Asian nations [9,10]. A significant producer of CR is China. ...
... This indicated that the quality of CR in Gansu and Shanxi Province was the best, followed by that in Sichuan Province, while that in Guizhou Province was relatively poor. These results demonstrated a large difference in the accumulations of 13 marker compounds (peaks 13,5,6,10,26,21,16,20,23,22,14,19,8) in different origins. We also analyzed the 16 marker compounds (peaks 22,27,19,7,12,21,5,26,9,4,1,28,8,6,24,17) in CR from different storage time and kneading processing ( Figure 9B). ...
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In China, Codonopsis Radix (CR) is frequently consumed both as food and medicine. Here, a comprehensive strategy based on fingerprinting and chemometric approaches was created to explore the influence of origins, storage time and kneading processing on the quality of CR. Firstly, high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection was used to obtain the fingerprints of 35 batches of CR from six different origins and 33 batches of CR from varying storage times or kneading procedures. Secondly, chemometric methods including similarity analysis (SA), principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA), and two-way orthogonal partial least square with discriminant analysis (O2PLS—DA) were used to evaluate the differences of chemical components in CR so as to identify its source and reflect its quality. Moreover, 13 and 16 major compounds were identified as marker compounds for the discrimination of CR from different origins, storage time and kneading processing, respectively. Furthermore, the relative content of the marker components and the exact content of Lobetyolin were measured, indicating that the contents of these components vary significantly between various CR samples. Meanwhile, the chemical components of CR were identified using Mass spectrometry. According to the findings of our investigation, the quality of CR from Gansu was the best, followed by Shanxi and then Sichuan. The quality of CR from Chongqing and Guizhou was poor. At the same time, the quality of CR was the best when it was kneaded and stored for 0 years, indicating that the traditional kneading process of CR is of great significance. Conclusively, HPLC fingerprint in conjunction with chemical pattern recognition and component content determination can be employed to differentiate the raw materials of different CR samples. Additionally, it is also a reliable, comprehensive and prospective method for quality control and evaluation of CR.
... Medicinal herbal extracts (MHEs) have been used as TMs to treat pain [38]. Extracts from flowers, fruits, stems, bark, leaves, and roots of plants have been commonly used as herbal soups in Asia for many years [39], and their crude extracts contain phytocompounds that have healing effects with low side effects in various diseases [39][40][41]. In particular, the modulatory effects of MHEs on endotoxin-induced inflammatory molecules (cytokines, chemokines, and mediators) were revealed in various cell types and animal models from 2012 to 2024. ...
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Acute lung injury (ALI) is induced by pneumonia, sepsis and other conditions. The disease characteristics include severe lung inflammation, in which various cells, such as epithelial cells, macrophages, and neutrophils, play a pivotal role. Corticosteroids and antibiotics are used to treat ALI; however, they may have side effects. Cumulative data confirm that traditional herbal medicines exert therapeutic effects against endotoxin-induced inflammatory responses in both in vitro and in vivo ALI studies. This review briefly describes the anti-ALI effects of medicinal herbal extracts (MHEs) and their molecular mechanisms, especially focusing on Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B cell pathways, with a brief summary of in vitro and in vivo ALI experimental models. Thus, the present review highlights the excellent potential of MHEs for ALI therapy and prevention and may also be useful for the establishment of in vitro and in vivo ALI models.
... and Euonymus alatus (Thunb.) Siebold have the function of regulating the disorder of lipid metabolism disorder [32,33]. The Chinese herbal compound and the main active ingredients of Coptis chinensis Franch. ...
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BACKGROUND Fanlian Huazhuo Formula (FLHZF) has the functions of invigorating spleen and resolving phlegm, clearing heat and purging turbidity. It has been identified to have therapeutic effects on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in clinical application. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is frequently diagnosed in patients with T2DM. However, the therapeutic potential of FLHZF on NAFLD and the underlying mechanisms need further investigation. AIM To elucidate the effects of FLHZF on NAFLD and explore the underlying hepatoprotective mechanisms in vivo and in vitro . METHODS HepG2 cells were treated with free fatty acid for 24 hours to induce lipid accumulation cell model. Subsequently, experiments were conducted with the different concentrations of freeze-dried powder of FLHZF for 24 hours. C57BL/6 mice were fed a high-fat diet for 8-week to establish a mouse model of NAFLD, and then treated with the different concentrations of FLHZF for 10 weeks. RESULTS FLHZF had therapeutic potential against lipid accumulation and abnormal changes in biochemical indicators in vivo and in vitro . Further experiments verified that FLHZF alleviated abnormal lipid metabolism might by reducing oxidative stress, regulating the AMPKα/SREBP-1C signaling pathway, activating autophagy, and inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis. CONCLUSION FLHZF alleviates abnormal lipid metabolism in NAFLD models by regulating reactive oxygen species, autophagy, apoptosis, and lipid synthesis signaling pathways, indicating its potential for clinical application in NAFLD.
... 1,2 In addition, the roots are often added to tea, wine, porridge and soup. 3 CPVM has a long growth period and high medicinal value, and it is generally considered to be the highest quality among the three original plants of Codonopsis Radix. 4 Wen County in Gansu Province, China is the main production area of CPVM. Fresh CPVM roots (FCPVR) are usually harvested in autumn. ...
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BACKGROUND Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (CPVM) is a famous medicinal and edible plant of Campanulaceae. However, fresh CPVM roots (FCPVR) are prone to softening, browning and spoilage after concentrated harvesting in the main production area of Gansu Province, China in autumn, which poses great challenges to their large‐scale storage and modern processing. In this study, effects of chitosan (CS), natamycin (NA) and modified atmosphere agent (MA) on the postharvest quality of FCPVR were first investigated. The roots after different treatments were stored at 4 °C and relative humidity of 75 ± 5% for 100 days. Their overall quality changes were evaluated from three perspectives: physiological quality, endophytic bacterial community and volatile organic compounds. RESULTS The clustering heatmap and principal component analysis results indicated that CS (2 g kg⁻¹), NA (0.5 g kg⁻¹) and MA (5 g) had a synergistic effect on physiological quality. The roots in the CS + NA + MA group maintained better physiological state, effective components and antioxidant capacity throughout the storage process. On this basis, compared with room temperature storage, the relative abundance of the main spoilage bacterium Pseudomonas in the CS + NA + MA group roots decreased by 44% on the 100th day of storage. Furthermore, after CS + NA + MA composite treatment, the roots produced richer esters with fruit aroma during low‐temperature storage. CONCLUSIONS The CS + NA + MA composite treatment could maintain the physiological quality and flavor of FCPVR, inhibit spoilage by microbial contamination and maintain the optimal quality during low‐temperature storage for up to 100 days. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
... Lu, 2023). It is widely used in various culinary forms, such as fresh, cooked, roasted, dried, sliced, and pan-fried, and it is also popular in salads, cold soups, and as a dried or fried vegetable (Gao et al., 2018). The pharmacological benefits of C. lanceolata are derived from its rich array of phytochemicals in its roots, including saponins, polyphenols, polyacetylenes, alkaloids, and polysaccharides (S. ...
... The dried root of C. pilosula is commonly employed as a medicine due to its high medicinal value [21][22][23]. Recent studies have focused on the root of C. pilosula, revealing its potential to lower blood pressure [24], improve memory impairment [25], regulate immune function [26], and exhibit antioxidant and anti-aging effects [27]. In addition, the stem, leaf, and root of C. pilosula possess antioxidant and antimicrobial activities [28][29][30]. ...
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Simple Summary Simple Summary: The mutual interaction between endophytic bacteria P. chrysanthemicola and C. pilosula influences salicylic acid (SA) levels. Comparative analysis with the exogenous SA treatment group revealed that P. chrysanthemicola colonisation of C. pilosula exhibited an antagonistic effect on SA, mainly in carbohydrate metabolism. This phenomenon involved not only SA but also H2O2 and nitric oxide (NO) as signalling molecules. Abstract Paraphoma chrysanthemicola, an endophytic fungus isolated from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula, influences salicylic acid (SA) levels. The interaction mechanism between SA and P. chrysanthemicola within C. pilosula remains elusive. To elucidate this, an experiment was conducted with four treatments: sterile water (CK), P. chrysanthemicola (FG), SA, and a combination of P. chrysanthemicola with salicylic acid (FG+SA). Results indicated that P. chrysanthemicola enhanced plant growth and counteracted the growth inhibition caused by exogenous SA. Physiological analysis showed that P. chrysanthemicola reduced carbohydrate content and enzymatic activity in C. pilosula without affecting total chlorophyll concentration and attenuated the increase in these parameters induced by exogenous SA. Secondary metabolite profiling showed a decrease in soluble proteins and lobetyolin levels in the FG group, whereas SA treatment led to an increase. Both P. chrysanthemicola and SA treatments decreased antioxidase-like activity. Notably, the FG group exhibited higher nitric oxide (NO) levels, and the SA group exhibited higher hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) levels in the stems. This study elucidated the intricate context of the symbiotic dynamics between the plant species P. chrysanthemicola and C. pilosula, where an antagonistic interaction involving salicylic acid was prominently observed. This antagonism was observed in the equilibrium between carbohydrate metabolism and secondary metabolism. This equilibrium had the potential to engage reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO).
... Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. is a medicinal plant with a long application history, which is mainly cultivated in East Asia, Southeast Asia and Central Asia (Gao et al., 2018;Bai et al., 2021). China is one of the main sowing countries with a planting area of more than 5.33×10 4 hm 2 (Yang et al., 2019). ...
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Plant growth regulators have been used in the cultivation of medicinal plants to increase yield, but the existing regulators decreased the content of active constituents which benefit human health. Therefore, it is necessary to find a new growth regulator to achieve the win-win goal of increasing yield and improving active constituents’ accumulation. The potential of replacing chlorocholine chloride with a new humic acid-based growth regulator was evaluated by measuring the yield and active constituents’ accumulation of Codonopsis pilosula. Three treatments including water (CK), chlorocholine chloride (T1) and humic acid regulator (T2) were applied by foliar spraying. Among them, both chlorocholine chloride and humic acid regulator belong to biostimulant. The result showed that the root yield in T1 and T2 were significantly increased by 59.1% and 54.9% compared with CK, respectively, and there was no significant difference between T1 and T2. Compared with CK, the yields of lobetyolin, syringin and atractylenolide III of Codonopsis pilosula were significantly decreased by 6.3%, 7.3% and 13.0% in T1, but were significantly increased by 22.8%, 14.8% and 32.0% in T2, respectively. Redundancy analyses showed that photosynthetic rate, sucrose phosphoric acid synthetase and phosphomannomutase had higher degree of explanation for yield and quality. Linear regression results indicated that photosynthetic rate and phosphomannomutase were the main factors to affect yield and active constituents yields, respectively. In addition, the output-input ratios based on the yields of polysaccharides, lobetyolin, syringin and atractylenolide III of Codonopsis pilosula in T2 was significantly increased by 6.5%, 15.2%, 8.7% and 31.2% respectively as compared with T1. Overall, compared with water treatment, both chlorocholine chloride and humic acid regulator treatments can increase the root yield of Codonopsis pilosula. Compared with chlorocholine chloride, humic acid regulator can improve the yield of active constituents and economic benefits of Codonopsis pilosula. This study indicated that reasonable selection of plant growth regulators is of great significance for achieving a win-win goal of increasing the root yield and active constituents of medicinal plants.
... [52] LDS may be an option for the management of patients recovering from COVID-19 with digestive and respiratory symptoms. [52] Codonopsis extract has a wide range of pharmacological actions, including neuroprotection, antiaging and anti-oxidation, immune function regulation, and gastrointestinal function regulation, etc. [62] Molecular mechanism research suggests that Ludangshen may activate the PI3K/AKT/ GSK3β signaling pathway, promote the expression of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-GSK3β, and GS, increase glycogen synthesis, thereby improving exercise endurance and alleviating exercise fatigue [60] (Fig. 2). ...
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Since the emergence of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, significant advancements has been made in research, from limited knowledge about the disease to the development of a vaccine. Although the severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) appears to be decreasing and the threat of COVID-19 is waning, there have been widespread concerns about persistent symptoms or sequelae experienced by some patients even after recovering from COVID-19. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown favorable treatment outcomes during the onset of COVID-19, and extensive studies have been carried out to explore the efficacy of TCM interventions during the COVID-19 recovery period. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively analyze these studies and provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of the post-COVID-19 condition.
... Therefore, they can be considered one of the first functional food ingredients. Rhodiola rosea, Atractylodes, Gei Herba, and Codonopsis are commonly used traditional Chinese herbs with various health benefits (Hung et al., 2011;Ishaque et al., 2012;Gao et al., 2018;Zhu et al., 2018;Kashchenko et al., 2023). Numerous researchers have recognized their safety, and these herbs are widely used in animals (Zhao et al., 2006;Gupta et al., 2008;Ding et al., 2023). ...
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Background Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is widely used in humans and animals, which is very important for health. TCM affects the body ‘s immunity and changes in intestinal flora. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary Hong-bailanshen (HBLS) supplementation in horses on serum biochemical profile, antioxidant enzymes and gut microbiota. Methods In this study, five horses were selected. On day 0, 14, 28, blood samples and feces were collected on days 0, 14, and 28 to analyse gut microbiota, serum biochemical and redox indexes. Results The results showed that the addition of HBLS to horse diets significantly decreased the level of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and significantly increased the activity of total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase and catalase (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Compared with day 14, the levels of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and creatine kinase were significantly decreased; however, the level of catalase was significantly increased in the horses continuously fed with HBLS for 28 days (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Alpha diversity analysis was performed that chao1 (p < 0.05), observed_specicies, faith’pd and goods_coverage upregulated in the horses fed HBLS. A total of 24 differential genera were detected adding HBLS to diet increased the abundance of Bacillus, Lactobacillaceae, Leuconostocaceae, Christensenellaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, Erysipelotrichaceae, Pyramidobacter, Sphaerochaeta, WCHB1-25, Bacteria, Oscillospira, and Acetobacteraceae, while reduced Aerococcus, EtOH8, Syntrophomonas, Caulobacter, Bradyrhizobiaceae, W22, Succinivibrionaceae, and Desulfovibrio (p < 0.05, p < 0.01). Conclusion Adding HBLS to the diet could be a potentially effective strategy to improve horses’ health.
... Codonopsis radix (roots of Codonopsis; Chinese name Dangshen) is one of the most commonly used traditional Chinese medicines that has been used for hundreds of years for replenishing the energy and invigorating the spleen (Chou et al., 2006). It is also a food medicine homology plant and used as food materials in China and Southeast Asia, such as tea, wine, soup, plaster, and porridge (Gao et al., 2018). The quality of codonopsis radix is highly dependent on the territory because each geographical area has particularities of climate, soil, and other ecological factors (Wan et al., 2021). ...
Article
‘‘Tanchang Dangshen” codonopsis radix is a high-quality protected agro-product geographical indication (AGI), mainly grown in Gansu Province, China. In this study, combining multivariate analysis techniques with bioactive constituents and mineral elements, the differences between AGI-labeled “Tanchang Dangshen” codonopsis radix and adulterations from other geographical origins were investigated. Furthermore, the relationship between the chemical or mineral element characteristics of “Tanchang Dangshen” and its soil and climatic factors of geographical origin area was also explored. Using partial least square discriminant analysis, “Tanchang Dangshen” and the other codonopsis radix, with a similar botanical origin, were grouped according to mineral elements, especially the contents of potassium, selenium, and nickel. The environment with low temperatures was more conducive to the accumulation of potassium, which is the most abundant element of codonopsis radix. Soil factors, such as soil pH, soil organic matter, and soil nutrients, had an impact on the contents of trace elements it contains, i.e., nickel and selenium, which helped elucidate the relationship between the characteristics of high-quality AGI-labeled “Tangchang Danshen” and its geographical origin.
... Codonopsis pilosula, belonging to the Campanulaceae family, is a perennial herbaceous plant whose functional component contains saponins, polyacetylenes, lignans, steroids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and volatile ingredients [1]. It is known for its various beneficial effects, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antioxidant, and anti-aging effects, as well as regulation of gastrointestinal function and enhancement of immune response [2]. ...
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Fresh Codonopsis pilosula is highly susceptible to fungus contamination during post-harvest storage, which not only compromises the quality of C. pilosula but also contributes mycotoxin contamination, posing a significant threat to human health. Studies have indicated that ozone treatment can inhibit post-harvest diseases in fruits and vegetables. The impact of ozone treatment on the disease incidence, disease severity index, and weight loss rate of the fresh C. pilosula infected with Actinomucor elegans was investigated through the spray inoculation of A. elegans on C. pilosula tissues. Changes in the main active ingredients of C. pilosula after ozone treatment were analyzed, and the effects of ozone treatment on the integrity of cell membranes in C. pilosula tissue and reactive oxygen species (ROS) metabolism were studied. The results showed that ozone treatment had a significant inhibitory effect on the A. elegans-induced mucor rot in C. pilosula, significantly reducing the incidence of the disease. Compared with the control group, the ozone-treated group maintained the effective components of C. pilosula well. Furthermore, ozone treatment reduced the cell membrane permeability and Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in C. pilosula, significantly increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the ROS metabolism pathway, prevented oxidative stress caused by the accumulation of ROS in C. pilosula tissues, and maintained the integrity of cell membranes.
... Triterpenoids (121-185), also known as ganoderic acid, are widely distributed in nature, which are composed of several isoprene molecules linked end to end without a hydroxyl group. Most triterpenoids contain 30 carbon atoms, and a few with 27 carbon atoms (Gao et al., 2018). X. sorbifolium is known to contain triterpenoids as a frequently reported component. ...
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“Shengdeng”, a group of Tibetan medicines with diverse biological origins, has long been utilized in Tibet for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. It showcases remarkable efficacy in alleviating rheumatism, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. This study aimed to clarify the plant species used as “Shengdeng” and summarize their botanical distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology to promote its utilization and development. “Shengdeng” is derived from a remarkable collection of 14 plant species belonging to six distinct families. Extensive phytochemical investigations have led to the identification of 355 chemical constituents within “Shengdeng”. Pharmacological studies conducted on “Shengdeng” have revealed a wide range of beneficial properties, including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-arthritic activities. Notably, flavonoids and triterpenoids emerge as the predominant groups among these constituents, contributing to the therapeutic potential and diverse applications of “Shengdeng”. The present review provides a concise summary of the recent advancements in textual research concerning the herbal and botanical distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of “Shengdeng”. It is crucial to note that future research on “Shengdeng” should prioritize the analysis of its active ingredients and the establishment of rigorous quality standards. These aspects are essential for ensuring consistency, efficacy, and safety in its clinical application.
... SFI is an intravenous injection of TCM derived from herbs like Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus, both known for their anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties. 37,38 A network meta-analysis of 6 TCM injections combined with the SOX regimen in treating GC revealed that SFI was superior to other TCM injections, enhancing the quality of life for GC patients, prolonging survival time, and reducing gastrointestinal reactions. 39 This overview suggests that combining SFI with CT is advantageous for GC patients. ...
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Background Gastric cancer (GC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the digestive tract. Chemotherapy (CT) is the primary treatment for GC, but it is accompanied by toxic side effects. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) on the combination of Shenqi Fuzheng injection (SFI) with CT for GC have been published; however, the conclusions have been inconsistent. This overview of SRs/MAs aims to assess the effectiveness and safety of SFI for GC, establishing a dependable foundation for its clinical application. Methods We utilized 7 databases, namely PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed, to conduct our search. The retrieval period spanned from inception to August 2023. The methodological quality, bias risk, reporting quality, and evidence quality of the SRs/MAs were assessed using the evaluation tools AMSTAR-2, ROBIS, PRISMA 2020, and GRADE, respectively. Subsequently, the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) included in the SRs/MAs were quantitatively analyzed through the implementation of RevMan 5.4 software. Results Eleven SRs/MAs were included in this study, comprising 54 RCTs involving a total of 9539 patients with GC. The studies covered the period from 2012 to 2021, with the number of original RCTs per study ranging from 3 to 20 and sample sizes ranging from 159 to 1413. The methodological quality of all 11 SRs/MAs was assessed as low or very low, and the quality of evidence was determined to range from moderate to very low. The comprehensive quantitative meta-analysis revealed that the combination of SFI with CT improved the objective response rate (ORR) (RR = 1.30, 95% CI = [1.21, 1.41], P < .00001) and disease control rate (DCR) (RR = 1.13, 95% CI = [1.09, 1.18], P < .00001) in GC patients, without heterogeneity observed among the studies. In comparison with CT alone, SFI combined with CT also demonstrated improvements in the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) (RR = 1.36, 95% CI = [1.25, 1.49], P < .00001) and CD4 ⁺ /CD8 ⁺ level (RR = 1.16, 95% CI = [0.87, 1.46], P < .00001) of patients. In terms of adverse reactions, the combination therapy of SFI with CT was associated with a reduced incidence of gastrointestinal reactions (RR = 0.67, 95% CI = [0.58, 0.78], P < .00001) and neurotoxicity (RR = 0.64, 95% CI = [0.50, 0.81], P = .0002). Conclusions SFI combined with CT can enhance the clinical effectiveness and enhance the quality of life in patients with GC, while minimizing adverse reactions. Nonetheless, the evaluation of overall quality remains deficient, thus restricting the reliability and stability of the conclusions. High-quality, large-sample RCTs remain crucial for establishing dependable clinical evidence. Systematic review registration INPLASY20239004
... Over the past few decades, polysaccharides from traditional Chinese medicine have attracted significant attention due to their excellent and unique antioxidant activity. 18 For example, angelica polysaccharides have been shown to improve Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in mice, 19 codonopsis polysaccharides have been found to increase Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in mice, 20 and poria polysaccharides have been demonstrated to reduce Malondialdehyde (MDA) content in rats. 21 The fungus P. sanguineus is a versatile material widely used in biodegradation, 22 wastewater treatment, 23 and wood bleaching, 24 among other fields. ...
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Purpose Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) are severe complications of diabetes, posing significant health and societal challenges. Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the ulcer site hinder wound healing in most patients, while individuals with diabetes are also more susceptible to bacterial infections. This study aims to synthesize a comprehensive therapeutic material using polysaccharides from Pycnoporus sanguineus to promote DFU wound healing, reduce ROS levels, and minimize bacterial infections. Methods Polysaccharides from P.sanguineus were employed as reducing and stabilizing agents to fabricate polysaccharide-based composite particles (PCPs) utilizing silver ions as templates. PCPs were characterized via UV-Vis, TEM, FTIR, XRD, and DLS. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties of PCPs were assessed through in vitro and cellular experiments. The effects and mechanisms of PCPs on wound healing were evaluated using a diabetic ulcer mouse model. Results PCPs exhibited spherical particles with an average size of 57.29±22.41 nm and effectively combined polysaccharides’ antioxidant capacity with silver nanoparticles’ antimicrobial function, showcasing synergistic therapeutic effects. In vitro and cellular experiments demonstrated that PCPs reduced cellular ROS levels by 54% at a concentration of 31.25 μg/mL and displayed potent antibacterial activity at 8 μg/mL. In vivo experiments revealed that PCPs enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), promoting wound healing in DFUs and lowering the risk of bacterial infections. Conclusion The synthesized PCPs offer a novel strategy for the comprehensive treatment of DFU. By integrating antioxidant and antimicrobial functions, PCPs effectively promote wound healing and alleviate patient suffering. The present study demonstrates a new strategy for the integrated treatment of diabetic wounds and expands the way for developing and applying the polysaccharide properties of P. sanguineus.
... Numerous investigations on the chemical composition of CR have been published thus far. More than 200 different substances had been identified from CR, including polynyas, polyenes, flavonoids, sugars, volatile oils, alkaloids, organic acids, and amino acids (8,39). Approximately 1,116 compounds were discovered in this study that were based on an earlier study, considerably enhancing the compound database of CR and supplying the scientific basis for the CR quality control study. ...
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Introduction With the internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine, the demand for medicinal and edible Codonopsis Radix (CR) has increased, and its medicinal resources have attracted attention. CR is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with a long pharmaceutical and edible history. The Guizhou province in China has abundant CR resources, but in the absence of systematic studies on species identification and chemical compositions, the capacity of the capacity of the province to CR resource has not been fully utilized. Methodology We used plant morphology and DNA barcoding techniques to identify Luodang (LD) and Weidang (WD) species. To investigate the differences in metabolites between LD and WD, as well as three Chinese Pharmacopeia CRs, and to predict pharmacological mechanisms of action for the dominant differential metabolites, we utilized widely targeted metabolomics and network pharmacology. The results also revealed the material basis for the excellent food properties of both LD and WD. Results The plant traits and DNA barcoding molecular identification results indicated that Luodang and Weidang from Guizhou were Codonopsis tangshen and Codonopsis pilosula, respectively. Widely targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that a total of 1,116 metabolites from 14 categories, including phenolic acids, lipids, flavonoids, were found in five CRs and shared 1,054 (94.4%) metabolites. LD and WD each contained 3 and 10 dominant differential metabolites, respectively, which were primarily flavonoids and amino acids. Amino acids, phenolic acids, and organic acids play important roles in their excellent food attributes. In CR, eight dominant differential metabolites were discovered for the first time, including isoorientin-7-O-(6″-feruloyl) glucoside, N-formyl-L-methionine, and cyclo (Phe-Glu), among others. Network pharmacology analyses showed that, in LD, dominant differential metabolites were closely related to anti-tumor, cardiovascular disease improvement, nervous system protection, and metabolic disease treatment, whereas in WD, they were closely related to nervous system protection and cardiovascular disease improvement. Conclusion The species of LD and WD were included in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, and their metabolite profiles were remarkably similar to CR from traditional producing areas. Therefore, LD and WD can be used and promoted medicinally as CR, and they have potential value for new drug development. This study enriched the database of CR compounds and provided a reference for quality control, resource development, and new drug development of CR.
... Codonopsis and its main active ingredients have been found to have anti-inflammatory effect, regulate gastrointestinal function, enhance chronic heart failure, and improve the compensatory hematopoietic function of the spleen. [30,31] Citrus peels, sourced from citrus industry byproducts, was an excellent potential source of anticancer pharmaceuticals. [32] Furthermore, the phenolic compounds present in citrus peels exhibited cost-effective pharmacological properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. ...
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Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is the most common functional gastrointestinal disorder, characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel habits. Huoxiang Drink (HD), derived from traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported to effectively treat digestive disorders caused by external cold and internal dampness. However, the pharmaceutical targets and mechanisms for HD against IBS remain unclear. Data mining, bioinformatics analysis, and network pharmacology were employed to explore the potential pharmacological mechanisms of HD against IBS. In this study, we screened 50 core targets to investigate the pharmacological mechanisms of HD against IBS. Enrichment analysis revealed that HD may participate in various signaling pathways, especially the inflammation-related tumor necrosis factor, signaling pathway and hypoxia-inducible factor signaling pathway. Molecular docking results confirmed that MOL000098 (Quercetin), MOL000006 (Luteolin), MOL005828 (Nobiletin), MOL005916 (Irisolidone), and MOL004328 (Naringenin), as key active ingredients in HD, bound to core targets (tumor protein P53, tumor necrosis factor, matrix metalloproteinases 9, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A) for topical treatment of IBS. This study suggested that HD offered a potential therapeutic strategy against IBS. Our findings may facilitate the efficient screening of active ingredients in HD and provide a theoretical basis for further validating the clinical therapeutic effects of HD on treating IBS.
... CP is an important functional food containing polysaccharides, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, phenolic glycosides, alkaloids and other bioactive components [2][3][4]. It has the effect of enhancing immunity, relieving physical fatigue, assisting in protecting gastric mucosa, causing antioxidation and so on [5], it is widely used in nutraceuticals [6], and it has a high nutritional value. ...
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Ultrasonic (US) maltreatment was performed before the vacuum far-infrared drying (VFID) of Codonopsis pilosula (CP) slices to investigate the effects of different US parameters on the drying characteristics and nutrients of CP slices. The grey correlation method with relative correlation degree (ri) as the evaluation measure was used to construct a model for the evaluation of the pretreatment quality of CP and to determine the optimal pretreatment conditions. The results showed that with the increase in US frequency and power, the drying rate increased. Under the conditions of US power of 180 W, frequency of 60 kHz and a pre-treatment time of 30 min, the drying time reduced by 28.6%. The contents of polysaccharide and syringin in dried CP slices pretreated by US increased by 14.7% and 62.0%, respectively, compared to the non-pre-treated samples, while the total flavonoid content decreased by 10.0%. In terms of colour, pretreatment had a certain protective effect on the red colour of dried products. The highest relative correlation (0.574) and the best overall quality of performance were observed at 180 W, 60 kHz and 30 min. Overall, US technology is suitable for the pretreatment processing of CP, which is of great significance to the drying of CP.
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Codonopsis clematidea (Schrenk) C.B.Clarke is illustrated here as Plate 1094; its taxonomic history, nomenclature, medicinal properties and notes on its successful cultivation are discussed.
Article
Recent climate research has revealed that climate change will impact biodiversity, particularly in mountainous regions. Furthermore, species that are endemic and rare will be more significantly impacted. Codonopsis affinis (Campanulaceae) is a rare and endemic twiner in the Darjeeling eastern Himalaya. The present study is focused on species distribution modeling of C. affinis using the MaxEnt algorithm. Models were generated by first collecting occurrence points within the study area, followed by model generation. The modeling throws light on the current and future distribution and range shift of the species with respect to climate change. Modeling was performed with six occurrence points and nine uncorrelated bioclimatic and topographic variables. All the generated models performed well, with AUC value of 0.992, and TSS value of 0.904. The main variable that impacts the species distribution happens to be altitude. The current habitat area is 274.5 sq km after applying the 0.61 minimum training presence threshold. Overall, a sharp decline in the probable suitable habitat is observed in the future models compared to the current one, reducing from 8.83% of the total habitat to about 0 to 1.35% in the future. This indicates that future climate change could negatively impact this endemic species. Furthermore, the taxon is also impacted by other anthropogenic factors, such as changes in land use. This implies urgency for prioritizing this neglected species, and hence, it would be ideal to take measures to conserve this rare species either through ex-situ or in-situ approaches.
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Dazomet is a dry powder formulation that releases toxic gas containing methyl isothiocyanate, which controls soil-borne pests and weeds, improving crop yields when applied to moist soils. To explore the efficacy of dazomet fumigation in the cultivation of the perennial herb Codonopsis pilosula, four typical cultivars (G1, G2, W1 and TCK) in Gansu Province were selected for seedling cultivation after soil fumigation (F) by dazomet, and non-fumigated soil was used as a control (CK). The experiments took 2 years to complete. The functional diversity of the soil enzymes and microorganisms, seedling emergence and physiological characteristics, and the quality and yield of Codonopsis seedlings and Radix were assessed. The results showed that the seed emergence rate, seedling re-green rate and several antioxidant enzymatic activities improved in the treatments involving soil fumigation with dazomet, and membrane lipid peroxidation in the seedlings decreased. On average, compared with those of the respective controls, the root viability and yield of the seedlings of the tested cultivars also increased by 34.87% and 42.4%, respectively, and the incidence of root rot in the seedlings was reduced by 83.9%, compared with their respective controls. After harvest, the yield increased by 23.9%, the incidence of root rot decreased by 61.3%, increase in yield and a 61.3% reduction in incidence, and the medicinal materials were determined to be safe and residue-free. The effects of fumigation were cultivar-specific and were especially prominent in G2. Therefore, soil fumigation with dazomet could improve the quality and productivity of Codonopsis pilosula seedlings. Taken together, these findings suggest that when herbs are bred by seedling transplantation, especially cultivars of good quality but poor resistance or species with rare germplasm resources, soil fumigation provides a way to improve cultivation effectiveness and, more importantly, ensures the probability of successfully breeding the species.
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Intestinal mucositis (IM) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy, limiting its clinical application. Codonopsis pilosula-derived CP-A (an inulin-type fructan) is an edible Chinese medicine with anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal protective effects, which may be useful for treating IM. Here, we explored CP-A’s role in ameliorating IM induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and investigated the underlying mechanism using in vitro experiments and rat models. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analyses were used to assess protein expression related to the extracellular-regulated protein kinases (ERK)/myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)/myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) signaling pathway and tight junction proteins. Inflammatory factors were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was employed for cecum content analysis. The results indicated that CP-A restored body weight and food intake and reversed histopathological changes in IM rats. Further, abnormal MLCK activation induced by 5-FU was attenuated by CP-A via the ERK/MLCK/MLC2 pathway. CP-A treatment improved tight junction protein levels and reduced inflammatory factor expression. Moreover, CP-A intervention regulated the intestinal microbiota community structure, increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus and decreasing the abundance of Shigella. In conclusion, CP-A mitigates 5-FU-induced IM by inhibiting the ERK/MLCK/MLC2 pathway, reducing the expression of inflammatory factors, improving the intestinal mucosal barrier, and regulating the intestinal microbial community. This study highlights CP-A’s therapeutic potential in IM treatment and provides insights for future research.
Article
Inulin-type fructan (ITF) defined as a polydisperse carbohydrate consisting mainly of β-(2–1) fructosyl-fructose links exerts potential prebiotics properties by selectively stimulating the growth of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. This study reported the modulation of human gut microbiota in vitro by ITF from Codonopsis pilosula roots using 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. The microbiota community structure analysis at genus levels showed that 50 mg/mL ITF significantly stimulated the growth of Prevotella and Faecalibacterium. LEfSe analysis showed that ITF at 25 and 50 mg/mL primarily increased the relative abundance of genera Parabacteroides and Alistipes (LDA Score > 4), and genera Prevotella and Faecalibacterium (LDA Score > 4) as well as Acidaminococcus, Megasphaera, Bifidobacterium and Megamonas (LDA Score > 3.5), respectively. Meanwhile, ITF at 25 and 50 mg/mL exhibited the effects of lowering pH values of samples after 24 h fermentation (p < 0.05). The results indicated that ITF likely has potential in stimulating the growth of Prevotella and Faecalibacterium as well as Bifidobacterium of human gut microbiota.
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By using ultrasonic synergy vacuum far‐infrared drying (US‐VFID), the effects of different conditions on the drying kinetics, functional properties, and microstructure of Codonopsis pilosula slices were studied. The sparrow search algorithm (SSA) was used to optimize the back‐propagation (BP) neural network to predict the moisture ratio during drying. With the increase of ultrasonic frequency, power and radiation temperature, the drying time of C. pilosula was shortened. The drying time of US‐VFID was 25% shorter than VFID, when radiation temperature was 50°C, ultrasonic power was 48 W, and frequency was 28 kHz. The SSA‐BP neural network, the average absolute error prediction was 0.0067. Compared with hot air drying (HAD), the total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of C. pilosula by US‐VFID were increased by 29.47% and 8.67%, respectively, and a reduction in color contrast of 16.19%. The dilation and generation of microcapillary of C. pilosula were more obvious. The study revealed US‐VFID could be used for the selection and process control of agro‐processing methods for C. pilosula products.
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Intestinal mucositis (IM) is a common adverse effect of chemotherapy, limiting its clinical application. Edible Chinese medicine, specifically Codonopsis pilosula-derived CP-A, with anti-inflammatory and gastrointestinal protective effects. The present work was to investigate CP-A's role in ameliorating IM and its mechanism using in vitro and rat models. Western blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analyses were used to assess protein expression related to the extracellular-regulated protein kinases (ERK)/myosin light chain kinase (MLCK)/myosin light chain 2 (MLC2) signaling pathway and tight junction proteins. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to measure inflammatory factors, and 16S rRNA Amplicon Sequencing was employed for cecum content analysis. The results indicated that CP-A could restore body weight, food intake and histopathological changes in IM rats. Besides, abnormal MLCK activation induced by 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was attenuated by CP-A via the ERK/MLCK/MLC2 pathway. CP-A treatment improved tight junction protein levels and reduced inflammatory factor expression. On the other hand, intestinal flora experiment demonstrated that CP-A intervention could increase the abundance of lactobacillus. In conclusion, CP-A mitigates 5-FU-induced IM by inhibiting the ERK/MLCK/MLC2 pathway, reducing the expression of inflammatory factors, improving the intestinal mucosal barrier and regulating intestinal flora. This study sheds light on CP-A's therapeutic potential in IM treatment, providing insights for future research.
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Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is an extremely common and long-term condition that affects the physical and mental health of oncology patients. While the treatment for CRF with western medicine and non-pharmacological therapy remains uncertain and challenging, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has become a trending option for the patients. Based on the findings from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), this study aims to identify and evaluate the evidence about the efficacy and safety of TCM for CRF. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted according to the PRISMA literature research guidelines. Seven electronic databases including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang database were searched to identify RCTs which investigated TCM in the treatment of CRF published since inception to December 2022. RCTs comparing TCM with no treatment, placebo, or pharmacological interventions were considered eligible for this review. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials Statement extensions for Chinese herbal medicine Formulas (CONSORT-CHM) and the Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool were used in this review to evaluate the quality and the risk of bias of all included trials. Results: A total of 82 RCTs were included in this review, regardless of whether they were published in English or Chinese. After data extraction and results evaluation, 78 trials demonstrated overall efficacy in using TCM for CRF patients compared with the control group, in which 33 trials showed that the efficacy rate was statistically significant (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). TCM was also shown to be beneficial in improving the scores of relevant scales (e.g., PFS, QoL, TCM syndrome score, other fatigue scales etc.) or physical tests indicators (e.g., cytokines, blood test etc.). The most common herbs found in Chinese medicine were Astragali Radix, Ginseng Radix and Codonopsis Radix. Some TCM products, such as Kangai Injection, Buzhong Yiqi Decoction and Shenqi Fuzheng Injection could provide a reference for medication in this review. A range of non-serious, reversible adverse effects associated with the use of TCM was also reported. However, the result of evaluation showed that none of the trials fully met all the CONSORT-CHM criteria, the quality of included trials was generally poor and the risk of bias was mostly uncertain. Conclusion: There is some evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of TCM in managing CRF in this systematic review. However, no clear conclusion can be made due to the inadequate reporting of efficacy and adverse reactions. In view of some concerns about the existing evidence after the evaluation, it is essential to standardize the comprehensive identification and efficacy measurement standards, improve the quality of RCTs and conduct more multicomponent therapies to provide an updated reference for CRF patients medication in the future. The protocol of this systematic review has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023413625). [ https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42023413625 ].
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Ethnopharmacological relevance: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive developmental neurodegenerative disease that primarily develops in old age. Memory impairment is an important manifestation of AD. It has been demonstrated that inflammation and oxidative stress are important mediators in the development and progression of AD. Codonopsis Radix (CR) has a long history of consumption, exhibiting lots of beneficial health effects, including anti-ageing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, studies on the effects of CR on scopolamine-induced amnesia have rarely been reported. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to investigate the ameliorative effect of macromolecular portion (polysaccharides, POL) and small molecule portion (fine extract rich in phenylpropanoids-polyacetylenes, EPP) from CR on improving scopolamine-induced memory impairment and to elucidate the potential mechanism of action. Materials and methods: C57BL/6 mice were pretreated with EPP (0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 g/kg), POL (0.3, 0.6, and 0.9 g/kg), and donepezil (5 mg/kg) by gavage for 7 days, followed by intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine (1 mg/kg) to induce memory impairment. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing, histopathological, western blotting, and biochemical analysis (various biochemical markers and protein expressions related to cholinergic system, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation) were performed to further elucidate the mechanism of action. Moreover, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory activities of POL, EPP, and its main compounds tangshenoside I, lobetyol, lobetyolin, and lobetyolinin were evaluated. Results: Experiments have confirmed that both POL and EPP from CR could improve scopolamine-induced spatial learning memory deficits. Both of them could regulate cholinergic function by inhibiting AChE and activating choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activities. They also could enhance antioxidant defense via increasing the activities of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and anti-inflammatory function through suppressing inflammatory factors (nitric oxide, TNF-α, and IL-6) and regulating gut flora. Besides, in vitro experiments demonstrated that four monomeric compounds and EPP, except POL, exhibited inhibition of AChE activity. Conclusion: EPP and POL from CR exert a beneficial effect on learning and memory processes in mice with scopolamine-induced memory impairment. CR may be a promising medicine for preventing and improving learning memory.
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Codonopsis plants, as a kind of medicinal and edible herb, have a long history of application and have been widely concerned by pharmacists and biologists. In this article, the species diversity, taxonomy and distribution, ethnic medicinal records, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, and quality evaluation methods of Codonopsis species were systematically reviewed. In addition, the research progress of Codonopsis plants using biotechnology in recent years was summarized. The phytochemistry and biological activities of Codonopsis are widely evaluated. To date, more than 350 compounds have been isolated from Codonopsis. Codonopsis pilosula polysaccharides are important functional components and biomarkers. Lobetyolin, atractylenolide III, tangshenoside I, and oligosaccharide can be considered as characteristic index components to evaluate the quality of Codonopsis plants. Although recent experimental evidence has confirmed the pharmacological value of this genus, its quality control, resource development and utilization, and active ingredient synthesis mechanisms are not well studied. In particular, molecular biology research is still in its infancy, but its application prospects are broad, and it is a hot spot for future research on Codonopsis. Therefore, it is urgent to conduct a detailed study on the single level of phytochemistry, pharmacology, and molecular biology of Codonopsis to establish a scientific evaluation system and modern medication guidelines. The multi-angle, multi-level, and multi-aspect integrated association analysis is also an inevitable trend for the future in-depth study of Codonopsis plants. This research status was summarized in order to provide a broader scientific research idea and theoretical reference for the in-depth study of Codonopsis.
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The objective of this study was to investigate the cellulose degradation rate (CDR) and lignin degradation rate (LDR) of Codonopsis pilosula straw (CPS) and the optimal fermentation parameters for mixed fungal fermentation. Single-factor tests were used to study the effects of the fungal ratio ( Trichoderma reesei : Coprinus comatus ), fungal inoculum, corn flour content, and fermentation time on the degradation rate of cellulose and lignin. Based on the results of this experiment, the optimal fermentation factors were identified, and the effects of various factors and their interactions on the degradation rates of cellulose and lignin were further evaluated using the response surface method. The quadratic polynomial mathematical model of degradation rates of the cellulose and lignin in CPS by mixed fungus fermentation was established using Design Expert software v8.0.6. Under the optimal parameters for fungal fermentation of CPS straw (fungal ratio 4:6, fungal inoculum 8%, corn flour content 10%, fermentation time of 15 d), the CDR and LDR reached 13.65% and 10.73%, respectively. Collectively, the mixed fungal fermentation of CPS resulted in decreased lignin and cellulose content, better retention of nutrients, and enhanced fermentation quality. The results of this study indicate that fermentation using Trichoderma reesei and Coprinus comatus is a productive method for straw degradation, providing a theoretical basis for the development of CPS as feed.
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Narcolepsy is an uncommon brain condition characterized by falling asleep suddenly without any proper reason or time. In this chapter, the authors include a brief history of narcolepsy, clinical symptoms, pathophysiology, and current treatments for the disease. The review explains narcolepsy according to the theory of TCM. The authors review the curative effect, pharmacological properties, and clinical results of herbs and prescriptions against narcolepsy. The study searched keywords such as ‘narcolepsy,' ‘Traditional Chinese medicine,' ‘sleep disorder,' ‘excessive sleepiness,' and ‘medicinal treatment' using databases such as CNKI, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Based on the analysis of data obtained from 110 articles, the authors have classified the herbs and prescriptions by their curative effects, following the theory of traditional Chinese medicine. Some herbs can be used alone, while others can use in conjunction with other prescriptions.
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UV-guided isolation of polyacetylenes from the crude extract of Codonopsis pilosula has successfully led to the characterization of five new polyynes, pilosulynes A‒E (1‒5), and two new polyenes, pilosulynes F and G (6 and 7), as well as five known analogues (8‒12). Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic methods, including that of ICD and 1D/2D NMR experiments. The absolute configurations of the 6,7-diol moiety of the isolates were determined by Snatzke’s method, observing the induced circular dichroism after addition of dimolybdenum tetraacetate in DMSO. Compound 6 exhibited anti-HCV activity in the HCVcc infection assay with EC50 value of 47.2 µM.
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Over recent decades sulfur fumigation has been becoming abused in processing some freshly harvested Chinese medicinal herbs, although it is questioned whether sulfur fumigation can result in changes in efficacy and safety of the herbs. One of the herbs commonly processed by sulfur fumigation is Codonopsis Radix (Dangshen). A report showed that lobetyolin content in sulfur-fumigated Dangshen was lower than in air-dried Dangshen. Whereas there is no investigation designed to compare the chemical profiles of the sulfur-fumigated Dangshen and the air-dried Dangshen. In the present study, a rapid and versatile ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultra-high resolution quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC UHD Q-TOF MS/MS) method was developed for comprehensive analysis of the chemical profiles of sulfur-fumigated and air-dried Dangshen samples. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) demonstrated that there were significant chemical differences between sulfur-fumigated and air-dried Dangshen samples. Among the changed components, 57 compounds were identified, in which 15 sulfur-containing compounds were detected only in sulfur-fumigated samples. The established methods were successfully applied to discriminate sulfur-fumigated Dangshen among commercial samples. Whether the chemical changes caused by sulfur fumigation affect the clinical efficacy and safety of Dangshen needs to be further investigated.
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A comparative study of 56 specimens of three medicinally-used Codonopsis taxa collected from China and 54 commercial samples of Codonopsis Radix available in Chinese, Japanese and Korean markets was carried out by quantitative analysis of seven major components: codonopyrrolidium B (1), codonopyrrolidium A (2), tangshenoside I (3), cordifolioidyne B (4), lobetyolinin (5), lobetyolin (6) and lobetyol (7). The quantitative results, based on a well-established HPLC–DAD method, indicated that the contents of these seven compounds varied considerably among the samples, not only inter-species but also intra-species. C. pilosula and C. pilosula var. modesta showed similar chemical compositions, while C. tangshen differed considerably from these two in chemical composition. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that two main groups were classified; one group mainly included C. pilosula, C. pilosula var. modesta and the commercial samples derived from these two taxa, while the other group was composed of C. tangshen and its derived commercial samples. Compound 1 was the main component in the roots of C. pilosula and C. pilosula var. modesta, while 3 and 2 had relatively high contents in the roots of C. tangshen. Therefore, 3, 2 and 1 could be chemical markers to differentiate C. tangshen from C. pilosula and C. pilosula var. modesta.
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AimTo study the chemical constituents of the aerial parts of Codonopsis nervosa (Chipp.) Nannf. (Campanulaceae), a commonly used Tibetan herb.Methods The constituents were isolated by D-101 porous polymer resin, silica gel, ODS and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.Results15 compounds were isolated and identified as chrysoeriol (1), tricin (2), apigenin (3), succinic acid (4),β-sitosterol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), luteolin (6), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (7), ethylsyringin (8), apigenin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (9), luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-[6′′′-O-caffeoyl]-β-D-glucopyranoside (10), luteolin-7-O-β-D-gentiobioside (11), syringin (12), 3-O-caffeoylquinic acid (13), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (14), and 4-O-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-benzoic acid (15), respectively.Conclusion Compounds 1-5, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15 were reported from C. nervosa for the first time.