REVIEW article

Front. Pharmacol., 19 December 2024

Sec. Ethnopharmacology

Volume 15 - 2024 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1498768

Traditional utilization, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, processing and application of the seeds of Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke: a comprehensive review

  • College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China

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Abstract

The seed of Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke, known in Chinese as Bo-Leng-Gua-Zi and in Tibetan as Sejimedo, are here abbreviated as H. pedunculosum seeds. Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds is a traditional Chinese medicine for protecting the liver, clearing heat, and detoxifying. A total of 125 chemical metabolites of H. pedunculosum seeds are found, including lignans, fatty acids, terpenes, coumarins, and others. The pharmacological activities of H. pedunculosum seeds are mainly in hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-cancer cells, and anticholestatic effects. In clinical application, it is mainly used in combination with other traditional Chinese medicines to play a key role in treating the liver disease. This paper gives a systematic review of above research aspects, proposes the potential limitations and put forward plausible solutions. Relevant literatures were searched in PubMed, Web of Science and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure with Herpetospermum as the key word. A number of studies have shown that H. pedunculosum seeds exert excellent hepatoprotective effects by acting on NF-κB, TGF-β, and Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathways, which provide a solid base for its clinic application. However, more research is needed to explore the standard cultivation and quality evaluation of H. pedunculosum seeds and systematical structure-activity relationship of its active metabolites.

1 Introduction

With the continuous development of various drugs, phytomedicines with fewer side effects and significant effects are gradually attracting people. Especially for some effective ethnodrugs, further development of their hidden medicinal value through in-depth research is increasingly popular and desirable. Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke (H. pedunculosum) is mainly distributed in several high-altitude areas such as Tibet, Yunnan, India and Nepal. As the main medicinal part of H. pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke, H. pedunculosum seeds are traditional Tibetan drug, which have traditional effects of clearing heat and softening liver. At the same time, H. pedunculosum seeds are also the core ingredient of clinical traditional Chinese prescriptions, such as Jiuwei Zhangya Pill (for treating cholecystitis), Wuwei Jinse Pill (for treating jaundice hepatitis), and Songshi pill (for treating hepatitis and liver fibrosis). Modern studies have shown that H. pedunculosum seeds contain a variety of chemical metabolites, including lignans, coumarins, terpenes, etc. (Xu, 2012), and have shown a variety of pharmacological activities, including liver protection, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-cholestasis effects (Gong, 2012; Shen et al., 2015).

The excellent pharmacological effects and particular characteristics of H. pedunculosum seeds undoubtedly deserve systematical induction and summary, which is hardly reported to the best of our knowledge. Therefore, we investigated relevant literatures in Web of Science, PubMed and CNKI with Herpetospermum as the key word, and focused on the literatures of the H. pedunculosum seeds with excluding that on other parts, such as stem, leaf and flesh. Based on these literatures, this paper comprehensively reviews the traditional use, botany, chemical metabolites, pharmacological effects, pharmaceutical analysis, processing and application in Chinese herbal prescriptions of H. pedunculosum seeds, which can provide scientific basis for further research and promote the potential for development.

2 Traditional uses

As a classic Tibetan medicine, H. pedunculosum seeds often used in the treatment of Tri-pa (a disease be traditionally characterized by diffusion of bile, disorders of the blood-heat, and yellow color in the muscles and eyes), which was first recorded in Yue Wang Yao Zhen (《月王药诊》) in the early 8th century. At the same time, in the middle of the 8th century, Tara Materia Medica (《度母本草》, Shivatso) recorded that H. pedunculosum seeds can treat heat disease, and bacon disease (diseases caused by the combination of food accumulation and cold). Beside these, Si Bu Yi Dian (《四部医典》, Yutog Yontan Gonpo), written and revised during the late 8th to 12th century, further proposed that H. pedunculosum seeds can remove the heat of the lower organs. In addition, it supplemented the bitter taste of H. pedunculosum seeds. Jingzhu Materia Medica (《晶珠本草》, Dema Tenpe Nyima), written in 1840, proposed that H. pedunculosum seeds could treat Tri-pa in the viscera. Diqing Tibetan medicine (《迪庆藏药》, Yang and Chu cheng) and Chinese Tibetan medicine (《中华藏本草》Luo, 1997) supplement recorded its effects of treating liver and gallbladder heat and indigestion, which was also supported by the record of Chinese Materia Medica (《中华本草》, National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine). In 2015, the “Interpretation of Tibetan Medicine Jinsui Materia Medica” (《藏药金穗本草诠释》, Gama Qupei) concluded that H. pedunculosum seeds could treat the liver and gallbladder diseases of the Tri-pa type. In summary, H. pedunculosum seeds have been used as its prototype medicine for over 13 centuries, and its effects on protecting the liver and treating indigestion have gained tremendous application as recorded in traditional medical books.

3 Botany

Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C. B. Clarke, is usually harvested at around October, and adapts to grow on warm, humid subtropical roadsides, hillsides, shrubland, and forest edges at the altitude of 2,300–3,500 m (Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae Commission, 1983) and its botanical organs including the flower, leaf, fruit and seed were shown in Figures 1A–D. As displayed in Figure 1D, H. pedunculosum seeds is slightly oblong with uneven carving and the surface from brown to black brown. One end of H. pedunculosum seeds has triangular protrusions, and the other end is tapered, slightly wedge-shaped and slightly concave in the center (Chinese Materia Medica Commission, 1998). The further investigation of H. pedunculosum seeds characters and sources can enhance the standardization of commercial H. pedunculosum seeds and is of great significance in cultivating it.

FIGURE 1

4 Phytochemistry

The chemical metabolites of H. pedunculosum seeds are reported to include lignans, fatty acids, terpenoids, and coumarins. The other metabolites such as amino acids, alkaloids, and flavones were also discussed. Details can be found in Figures 26 and Table 1.

FIGURE 2

FIGURE 3

FIGURE 4

FIGURE 5

FIGURE 6

TABLE 1

No.NameMolecular formulaExtractSeparation methodIdentification methodReferences
Lignan
1HerpetriolC30H34O9Ethyl alcoholUV, IR,MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji et al. (1979)
2HerpetetrolC40H44O12Ethyl alcoholUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji et al. (1979)
3HerpepentolC50H54O15MeOHMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji and Pieraccini (1984a)
4HerpetetradioneC40H42O12MeOHMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji and Favre-Bonvin (1984a)
5HerpetetroneC40H42O13MeOHPolyamide CC6 and sephadex LH-20, chromatographyUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMRKaouadji et al. (1987)
6HerpetrioneC30H32O10Ethyl alcoholMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji and Jean (1983)
7HerpetoneC29H30O9Ethyl alcoholSilica gel column chromatography, preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRZhang et al. (2006)
8HerpetolC20H20O6Ethyl alcoholUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji and Pieraccini (1984a)
9Dehydrodiconiferyl alcoholC20H22O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCUV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
10Herpetosin BC20H22O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatographyUV, IR, MS, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMRXu (2012)
11HerpetalC20H18O6Ethyl acetateUV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji et al. (1978)
12HerpetotriolC30H32O9Ethyl acetateUV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRKaouadji et al. (1978)
13HerpepropenalC30H30O10Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, RPC18, HPLCMS, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, COSY, HSQC, NOESYYang et al. (2010)
147,8′-didehydlroherpetotriolC30H32O9Ethyl acetateReversed phase silica gel column chromatography, Preparation for HPLC ChromatographyUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR,13C-NMRXu (2012)
15(7S,8R,7′R,8′S)-7'-[7′-ethoxyl-7'-(4′-hydroxyl-3′-methoxylphenyl)]methyl-7-(4-hydroxyl-3-methoxylphenyl)-8-hydroxymethyl-tetrahydrofuranC22H28O7Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi- preparative HPLCUV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
16(7S,8R)-threo-1'-[3′-hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-8-hydroxymethyl-7,8-dihydrobenzofuran] acrylaldehydeC19H18O6Ethyl acetaNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi- preparative HPLCUV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
17(−)-Tanegool-7′-methyl etherlC21H26O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRZhou (2014)
18HerpetinC30H34O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, Rp-Si -gel, semi- preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRYuan et al. (2005)
19LariciresinoC20H24O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCUV, 1H-NMR,13C-NMRMa (2020)
20(+)-(7′S,7′′S,8′R,8′′R)-4,4′,4′′-Trihydroxy-3,5′,3′′-trimethoxy-7-oxo-8-ene[8-3′,7′-O-9′′,8′-8′′,9′-O-7′′] lignoidC30H30O9Petroleum etherSilica gel column chromatography, preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBCYu et al. (2014)
21Ent-isolariciresinolC20H24O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
22HerpetenolC20H22O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatographyUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRWang (2005)
23HerpetfluorenoneC16H14O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRGong et al. (2016)
24(1S)-4hydroxy-3-[2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-1-hydroxymethyl2-oxo-ethyl]-5-methoxy-benzaldehydeC18H18O7Petroleum etherSilica gel column chromatography, RPC18, sephadex LH-20MS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, HMBCYu et al. (2014)
25Hedyotol AC30H32O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
26PicrasmalignanC30H30O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
27BalanophoninC20H20O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
281-Propanone, 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydrpxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-[4-(3-hydroxy-1-propen-1-yl)-2-methoxyphenoxy]C21H24O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
29Erythro-guaiacylglycerol-b-coniferyl etherC20H24O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
30Threo-guaiacylglycerol- b-coiferyl etherC20H24O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
31(7R,8S)-Dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol γ′- methyl etherC21H24O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
323-Benzofuranmethanol, 2, 3-dihydro-2-(4-dydroxy-3-methoxypenyl)-7-methoxy-5-(3-methoxyl-1-propenyl)-,[2S-[2a,3b, 5(E)]]-(9CI)C21H24O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
33Evofolin-BC17H18O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
341-Propanon, 3-hydroxy-1-(2-hydrpxy-5-methoxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-C20H24O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
35Herpetatol AC19H18O5Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
36Herpetatol BC19H16O5Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
37Herpetatol CC20H22O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
38Herpetatol DC31H32O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
39Herpetatol EC30H30O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
40Herpetatol FC29H28O8Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
41Herpetatol GC29H28O8Ethyl acetateSilica gel/gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
42(−)-pinoresinol monomethyl etherC21H24O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, IR,1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
43epipinoresinolC20H22O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
44(+)-pinoresinolC20H22O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
45(+)-menbrineC21H24O5Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
46cinncassins DC28H28O9Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, UV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
47(7R,7′R,7″R,8S,8′S,8″S)-4′,4″-dihydroxy-3,3′,3″,5-tetramethoxy-7,9':7′,9-diepoxy-4,8″-oxy-8,8′-sesqoineolignan-7″,9″-diolC31H36O11Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
483-Benzofuranmethanol-2,3-dihydro-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-4-:methoxy-6-[tetra-hydro-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-3-methanol]-2-furanmethylC31H36O8Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatograpyMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRYuan et al. (2006b)
49Ehletianol CC30H36O10Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, UV, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMa (2020)
50Herpetosiol GC20H22O5Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCMa (2020)
51Herpetosiol HC23H30O8Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
52Herpetosiol IC30H34O10Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
53Herpetosiol JC23H24O9Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
54Herpetosiol KC30H30O9Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
55Herpetosiol LC19H18O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCUV, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
56Herpetosiol MC20H20O7Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCMa (2020)
57Herpetosiol NC32H38O11Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBC, COSY, NOESYMa (2020)
58Phyllanglaucin BC30H34O9Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, recrystallizationMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHuang et al. (2021)
59Buddlenol EC32H38O10Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, sephedax LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHuang et al. (2021)
60SpathulatedC30H34O9Ethyl acetateHPLCWei et al. (2020)
61Threo-buddlenol EC31H36O11Ethyl acetateHPLCWei et al. (2020)
62Picrasmalignan AC29H28O9Ethyl acetateHPLCWei et al. (2020)
639,3′-Dimethoxyhierochin AC21H24O6Ethyl acetateHPLCWei et al. (2020)
64SesquilignanC30H34O9Ethyl acetateHPLCYuan et al. (2019)
65Herpedulin AC50H52O16Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, preparative TLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCMeng et al. (2022)
66Herpedulin BC30H34O10Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCMeng et al. (2022)
67Herpedulin CC31H36O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
68Herpedulin DC31H36O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, 1H-1H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
69Herpedulin EC30H30O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
70Herpedulin FC32H38O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, COSYMeng et al. (2022)
71Herpedulin GC30H32O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
72Herpedulin HC30H32O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
73Herpedulin IC30H32O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, MPLC, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
74Herpedulin JC23H24O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, NOSY, HMBCMeng et al. (2022)
75Herpedulin KC30H26O9Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, recrystalizationMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, HMBCMeng et al. (2022)
76Herpedulin LC23H30O8Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, NOESY, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
77Herpedulin MC19H18O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HSQC, 1H-1HCOSY, HMBCMeng et al. (2022)
78Herpedulin NC20H20O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRMeng et al. (2022)
79Herpedulin OC20H22O5Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
80Herpedulin PC19H20O5Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR CD spectrumMeng et al. (2022)
Fatty acids
81Palmitic acidC16H32O2Petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005a)
82Oleic acidC18H34O2Petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005a)
83Stearic acidC18H34O2Petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005a)
84Linoleic acidC18H32O2Petroleum etherGC-MSZhang et al. (2004)
85Linolenic acidC18H30O2Petroleum etherNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, semi- preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRDong et al. (2019)
86TrilinoleinC57H98O6Petroleum etherNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRDong et al. (2019)
879-Octadecenoic acidC18H34O2Petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005b)
88Octadecanoic acidC18H36O2Petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005a)
89cis-5-Dodecaenoic acidC12H22O2Petroleum etheSilica gel column chromatographyMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRChen (2020)
90Dodecanoic acidC12H24O2Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatographyMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRXu, (2012)
9110-Eicossenoic acidC20H38O2Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRXu, (2012)
Terpenoids
92Neocucurbitacin DC31H44O890% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, RP-HLPCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, NOESYJiang et al. (2020)
93Cucurbitacin EC32H44O890% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRJiang et al. (2020)
94Cucurbitacin DC30H44O790% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRJiang et al. (2020)
95Cucurbitacin BC31H44O890% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRJiang et al. (2020)
96Cucurbitacin IC30H46O790% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRJiang et al. (2020)
9723, 24-Dihydroisocucurbitacin BC32H48O890% EtOHSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, RP-HLPCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRJiang et al. (2020)
98Cucurbitacin MC30H44O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, MPLC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, DEPT, HMBC, 1H-H COSYMa (2020)
99Herpetosin AC22H30O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatographyUV, IR, MS, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMRXu (2012)
100Cucurbitacin LC30H44O7Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMRDai et al. (2017)
101Oleanic acidC30H48O3Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMRDai et al. (2017)
Coumarins
102Herpetolide AC16H14O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, recrystallizationMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBC, NOESY, DEPT, HMQCZhang et al. (2008)
103Herpetolide BC16H12O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, recrystallizationMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCZhang et al. (2008)
104Herpetosperin AC22H24O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, ODS silica gel CC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCXu et al. (2015)
105Herpetosperin BC22H24O11Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, ODS silica gel CC, semi-preparative HPLCMS, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMBCXu et al. (2015)
106Herpetospin CC23H26O10Ethyl acetateReverse phase silica gel column chromatographyUV, IR, MS, 13C-NMR, 1H-NMRXu (2012)
107Herpetolide HC19H16O6Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, recrystallizationMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHuang et al. (2021)
108Herpetospin DC22H22O11Ethyl acetateNormal phase silica gel column chromatography, recrystallizationMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRXu (2012)
Others
109ArginineC6H14N4O2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
110HistidineC6H9N3O2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
111LysineC6H14N2O2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
112LeucineC6H13NO2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
113IsoleucineC6H13NO2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
114TryptophanC11H12N2O2HClHITACHI 835-50 High-speed amino acid analyzer, XDY-I atomic fluorescence spectrometerLi et al. (2005)
115KaempferitrinC27H30O14Ethyl acetateReversed phase silica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCUV, IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRFan et al. (2016)
1163′-HydroxydaidzeinC15H10O5Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, semi-preparative HPLCMS, 1H-NMRDai et al. (2017)
117StigmasterolC29H48OEthyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, recrystalizationMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRLiu et al. (2010)
118β-StigmasterolC29H48OEthyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRGong (2013)
119Spinasterol glucosideC35H56O6Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, recrystalizationUV, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRLiu et al. (2010)
120Arbutin, 1-acetateC14H18O8Ethyl acetateReversed phase silica gel column chromatographyUv, IR, MS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMRHu (2016)
121Herpetolide CC16H14O6Petroleum etherSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20, smi-preparative HPLCUV, IR, MMS, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, HMQC, HMBCFan et al. (2016)
122Eicosanoic acid, 2-propenyl esterC23H44O2Ethyl acetateSilica gel column chromatography, sephadex LH-20MS, 1H-NMRDai et al. (2017)
1233-Dodecen-1-yneC12H20petroleum etherGC-MSLiu et al. (2005)
1242,6,10,14,18,22-TetracosahexaenC24H38petroleum etherGC-MSZhang et al. (2004)
125HerpecaudinC17H22O4Ethyl acetateRPHPLC, silica gel column chromatography, RP-18, sephadex LH-20MS,1H-NMR,13C-NMR, HMBC, NOESY, CD spectrum, X-rayJiang et al. (2016)

Metabolites extracted from Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds.

4.1 Lignans

As collected in Figure 2 and summarized in Figure 3, lignans in H. pedunculosum seeds can be mainly divided into benzofurans, tetrahydrofurans and furofuran. In benzofuran lignan such as dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (9) and herpetotriol (12), the benzene ring is linked to the side chain to form the furan oxygen ring (Figure 2; Table 1). In furfuran lignan, bimolecular phenylpropanin side chains are connected to form a bis-tetrahydrofuran ring, such as herpetetradione (4), herpetetrone (5) and herpetrione (6). Tetrahydrofurans lignans can be further divided into three types with 7-O-7' (a), 7-O-9' (b), and 9-O-9' (c) structures (Figure 2). The tetrahydrofuran of 7-O-9′ is predominant in H. pedunculosum seeds, represented by herpetriol (1) and herpetetrol (2). Beside above three main lignan types, H. pedunculosum seeds also contains dibenzylbutane (chemicals of 29 and 30) as shown in Figure 2.

4.2 Fatty acids

It has been found that H. pedunculosum seeds contain various fatty acids (81-91, Figure 4; Table 1), with comparatively greater concentrations of linoleic (84) and linolenic acid (85) (Zhao et al., 2009). Oleic (82), palmitic (81), and linoleic acids (84) are reported to be physiologically active in decreasing blood cholesterol levels and alleviating the formation of cholesterol in the vascular wall (Dobrzyńska and Przysławski, 2020). Therefore, it is essential to study the fatty acids in H. pedunculosum seeds.

4.3 Terpenoids

Ten terpenoids (92-101, Figure 5) were identified in H. pedunculosum seeds, and triterpenoid was the dominant type among them. Triterpenoids have the activities of anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties (Xiao et al., 2018). For example, cucurbitacin B (95) was reported to show anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and neuroprotective effects (Dai et al., 2023). These bioactive triterpenoids in H. pedunculosum seeds doubtlessly contribute to its favorable pharmacologic actions.

4.4 Coumarins

Coumarin is widely acknowledged to have extensive biological activities including anti-tumor, anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation, and anti-coagulation (Kirsch et al., 2016; Wu et al., 2020). And there are 7 coumarins (102-108 in Figure 5) found in H. pedunculosum seeds up to now. For example, Huang et al. (2021) found that herpetolide H (107) from H. pedunculosum seeds had the effects of anti-inflammatory in vitro.

4.5 Others

In addition to the aforementioned metabolites, H. pedunculosum seeds also contain amino acids (109–114), flavonoids (115, 116), sterols (117–119), glucosides (120), esters (121, 122), olefin (123–124), and ketones (125) as illustrated in Figure 6. It is reported that leucine (112) and isoleucine (113) can prevent the fat accumulation from in hepatocyte (Zhang et al., 2022). Kaempferitrin (115) has anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects (Patel D. K., 2021). The biological activity of stigmasterol (117) is found to include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties (Bakrim et al., 2022). Therefore, the role of these metabolites in the application of H. pedunculosum seeds deserves further research.

5 Pharmacology

Diverse studies have demonstrated the hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-cholestasis effects of H. pedunculosum seeds and aforementioned metabolites. Especially, the action mechanism on liver protection effect of H. pedunculosum seeds was systematically generalized. The specific hepatoprotective action and other pharmacological effects were summarized in Table 2 and Table 3, respectively.

TABLE 2

Liver diseaseExtract/CompoundAnimal/cell and interventionIndicators and results (control, model, treatment, positive control groups)Refs.
Hepatic fibrosisEthyl acetate (EAEHPS)Animal: Sprague-Dawley rats (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (50%, 3 mL/kg)
Treatment: EAEHPS (1 and 3 g/kg) for 6 weeks
Positive control: Silymarin (0.1 g/kg) for 6 weeks
ALT↓, AST↓, TNF-a↓, IL-1β↓, IL-6↓, TGF-β1↓, NF-κB 65↓, IκBα↑, Smad3↑.(Compared with the model group) HA/μg.L-1: 49.35 ± 5.26, 75.37 ± 22.65, 61.27 ± 8.46 (L) 54.97 ± 8.63 (H), 39.94 ± 12.61; LN/μg.L-1: 73.55 ± 13.06, 131.74 ± 20.94, 110.38 ± 27.89 (L), 108.78 ± 6.61 (H), 112.87 ± 16.94; PCⅢ/μg.L-1: 75.57 ± 5.11, 117.65 ± 29.45, 98.38 ± 10.28 (L), 93.11 ± 10.19 (H), 88.60 ± 6.92; ColⅣ/μg L-1: 58.75 ± 23.14, 78.15 ± 14.70, 54.86 ± 16.03 (L), 46.31 ± 10.88 (H), 56.75 ± 15.14Feng et al. (2018a)
ChloroformAnimal: Sprague-Dawley rats (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (50%, 3 mL/kg)
Treatment: 1 and 3 g/kg) for 10 weeks
GPT↓, GOT↓, TBIL↓, CP↓, HA↓, LN↓, PCIII↓, ColIV↓, TBA↓, MDA↓, CAT↑, SOD↑, ALB↑.(Compared with the model group)Li et al. (2019)
Hepatic fibrosisChloroformAnimal: KM mice
Model: Induction of CCl4 (1%, 5 mL/kg)
Treatment: 10 (L), 30 (M), 60 (H) g/kg for 1 week
ALT/U.L-1: 26.07 ± 3.23, 121.04 ± 9.8, 53.99 ± 3.21 (L), 37.25 ± 9.80 (M), 30.40 ± 2.44 (H),/); AST/U.L-1: 66.09 ± 8.99, 231.84 ± 18.32, 139.67 ± 13.98 (L), 126.63 ± 8.53 (M), 99.63 ± 36.89 (H),/; MDA/nmol.mg-1: 6.35 ± 1.49, 11.74 ± 1.07, 8.80 ± 1.87 (L) 7.77 ± 0.32 (M) 7.01 ± 0.48 (H),/; SOD/U.mg-1: 45.20 ± 6.00, 22.80 ± 4.3, 30.99 ± 2.80 (L), 41.06 ± 1.73 (M), 36.91 ± 7.89 (H),/; Caspase-3:/, 0.1674 ± 0.0061, 0.1555 ± 0.0010 (L), 0.1356 ± 0.0099 (M), 0.1096 ± 0.0083 (H),/Jiang (2011)
Liver protectionWaterAnimal: KM mice
Model: Induction of CCl4 (1%, 5 mL/kg)
Treatment: 10 (L), 30 (M), 60 (H) g/kg for 1 week
ALT/U.L-1: 26.07 ± 3.23, 121.04 ± 9.8, 72.16 ± 4.9 (L), 59.59 ± 9.81 (M), 54.92 ± 7.03 (H),/; AST/U.L-1: 66.09 ± 8.99, 231.84 ± 18.32, 185.29 ± 19.63 (L) 172.25 ± 12.61 (M), 160.15 ± 12.91 (H),/; MDA/nmol.mg-1: 6.35 ± 1.49, 11.74 ± 1.07, 8.80 ± 1.87 (L), 7.77 ± 0.32 (M), 7.01 ± 0.48 (H),/; SOD/U.mg-1: 45.20 ± 6.00, 22.80 ± 4.3, 30.99 ± 2.80 (L), 41.06 ± 1.73 (M), 36.91 ± 7.89 (H),/; Caspase-3:/, 0.1674 ± 0.0061, 0.1505 ± 0.0062 (L), 0.1366 ± 0.0012 (M), 0.1026 ± 0.0096 (H),/
Chemical liver injuryWaterAnimal: C57BL/6 male mice at 8–10 weeks of age
Cell: BRL-3A and AML12
Model: Induction of APAP (300 mg/kg, 40 mM)
Treatment: Water extract (0.3 mg/kg, 3 g/kg) in mice for 2 weeks; Water extract (100–400 μg/mL) in BRL-3A for 24 h. Water extract (100–400 μg/mL) in AML12 for 8 h
ALT↓, AST↓, ROS↓, TNF-α↓, 1L-1β↓, HO-1↓, NQO1↓, Cell viability↑, GSH↑Li J. et al. (2023)
Drug-induced liver injuryEthanolAnimal: C57BL/6 (male); Cell: BRL-3A
Model: Induction of APAP (Cell: 40 mM, 8 h; Mice: 200 mg/kg); Treatment: ethanol extract (6.25, 12.5, 25 μg/mL) in BRL-3A; ethanol extract (0.3, 1, 3 g/kg) in mice for 15 days
ALT↓, AST↓, ROS↓, MDA↓, Bax↓, Caspase3↓, Cleaved Caspase3↓, HO-1↑, NQO1↑, Cell viability↑, GSH↑Liao (2023)
Liver protectionPetroleum etherAnimal: Sprague-Dawley rats (male)
Model: Induction of ANIT (60 mg/kg)
Treatment: Petroleum ether extract of 350 (L), 700 (M), 1400 mg/kg (H) for 5 days
Positive control: Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) (100 mg/kg) for 5 days
ALT↓, AST↓, ALP↓, γ-GTP↓, TBIL↓, DBIL↓, TBA↓, degree of tissue damage↓.(Compared with the model group)
MDA/nmol.mg-1: 1.24 ± 0.04, 4.02 ± 0.06, 3.91 ± 0.49 (L), 2.61 ± 0.32 (M), 1.84 ± 0.09 (H), 2.65 ± 0.28); MPO/U.mg-1: 3.70 ± 0.42, 24.10 ± 4.26, 23.44 ± 3.01 (L), 19.79 ± 1.74 (M), 12.13 ± 0.64 (H), 15.62 ± 0.75; NO/μmol.L-1: 5.007 ± 2.678, 4.006 ± 0.732 (L), 3.523 ± 0.223 (M), 3.351 ± 0.194 (H), 2.678 ± 0.375; SOD/U.mg-1: 166.81 ± 10.80, (56.07 ± 4.62, 57.11 ± 4.19 (L), 62.56 ± 4.44 (M), 84.52 ± 7.02 (H), 109.02 ± 12.21; GST/nmol.min-1.mg-1: 56.15 ± 6.39, 37.40 ± 2.85, 38.66 ± 3.92 (L), 43.75 ± 2.59 (M), 47.60 ± 1.66 (H), 47.93 ± 3.27; NO/: 1.884 ± 0.122, 5.007 ± 2.678, 4.006 ± 0.732 (L) 3.523 ± 0.223 (M), 3.351 ± 0.194(H), 2.678 ± 0.375
Cao et al. (2017)
Chemical liver injuryTotal lignansAnimal: ICR mice (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (0.1%, 20 mL/kg)
Treatment: Total lignans (0.375, 0.75, 1.5, 3 g/kg) for 7 days
Positive control: Compound glycyrrhizin tablets of 113 mg/kg (P1) and biphenyl diester of 200 mg/kg (P2) for 7 days
ALT/U.L-1: 50.68 ± 3.66, 259.70 ± 3.58, 231.81 ± 16.73 (0.375 g/kg) 210.71 ± 9.08 (0.75 g/kg) 218.25 ± 6.17 (1.5 g/kg) 202.86 ± 11.80 (3 g/kg), 194.85 ± 17.46 (P1) 220.29 ± 7.77 (P2); AST/U.L-1: 97.83 ± 8.04, 274.50 ± 7.35, 240.38 ± 12.23 (0.375 g/kg) 233.17 ± 17.42 (0.75 g/kg) 226.55 ± 16.93 (1.5 g/kg) 213.31 ± 27.07 (3 g/kg), 209.38 ± 11.61 (P1) 232.90 ± 11.61 (P2); ALP/U.L-1: 117.88 ± 12.99, 195.67 ± 16.08, 143.28 ± 12.46 (0.375 g/kg) 138.61 ± 10.53 (0.75 g/kg) 134.61 ± 12.73 (1.5 g/kg) 124.14 ± 14.72 (3 g/kg), 158.29 ± 9.55 (P1) 131.74 ± 21.67 (P2); MDA/nmol.mgprot-1: 12.54 ± 1.59, 35.32 ± 2.54, 23.64 ± 2.82 (0.375 g/kg) 20.72 ± 1.49 (0.75 g/kg) 19.73 ± 1.28 (1.5 g/kg) 16.03 ± 2.76 (3 g/kg), 17.43 ± 2.44 (P1) 20.67 ± 1.98 (P2); SOD/U.mgprot-1: 76.84 ± 3.59, 43.39 ± 1.72, 52.75 ± 2.58 (0.375 g/kg) 54.58 ± 3.24 (0.75 g/kg) 55.02 ± 1.20 (1.5 g/kg) 59.99 ± 2.35 (3 g/kg), 50.79 ± 1.93 (P1) 49.75 ± 1.93 (P2); GSH-Px/U.mgprot-1: 996.76 ± 81.60, 534.00 ± 50.58, 873.88 ± 96.38 (0.375 g/kg) 896.26 ± 151.70 (0.75 g/kg) 924.47 ± 125.97 (1.5 g/kg) 975.95 ± 152.21 (3 g/kg), 751.57 ± 46.27 (P1) 796.84 ± 83.47 (P2)Zhao et al. (2015)
Hepatic fibrosisTotal lignansAnimal: Sprague-Dawley rats (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (40%, 25 mg/kg)
Treatment: Total lignans of 100 (L), 200 (M), 400 mg/kg (H) for 8 weeks
ALT/U.L-1: 82.25 ± 5.47, 200.00 ± 22.60, 139.86 ± 21.05 (L) 106.63 ± 16.60 (M) 92.75 ± 18.42 (H), 87.75 ± 114.47; AST/U.L-1: 169.25 ± 13.96, 217.57 ± 33.76, 225.86 ± 9.86 (L) 202.38 ± 38.03 (M) 178.00 ± 31.96 (H), 185.50 ± 30.87; ALP/U.L-1: 158.00 ± 4.04, 201.29 ± 25.45, 151.14 ± 226.17 (L) 171.25 ± 31.32 (M) 145.50 ± 18.53 (H), 136.50 ± 28.4; TGF-β1/ng.L-1: 173.37 ± 2.94, 225.15 ± 17.99, 210.64 ± 11.67 (L) 196.79 ± 15.77 (M) 188.32 ± 16.64 (H), 193.11 ± 13.22; HA/ng.L-1: 248.21 ± 9.99, 313.55 ± 16.29, 291.63 ± 11.37 (L) 273.21 ± 19.14 (M) 272.20 ± 21.30 (H), 271.04 ± 10.42; HYP/μg.L-1: 672.15 ± 10.85, 810.04 ± 25.60, 791.46 ± 21.34 (L) 742.96 ± 27.21 (M) 728.60 ± 40.68 (H), 725.27 ± 19.86; SOD/μg.L-1: 10.88 ± 0.28, 9.04 ± 0.46, 9.40 ± 0.46 (L) 10.02 ± 0.44 (M) 10.23 ± 0.67 (H), 10.23 ± 0.39Liu et al. (2017a)
Acute alcoholic liver injuryTotal lignansAnimal: KM mice (male)
Model: 56° Beijing Red Star Erguotou wine
Treatment: Total lignans of 15 (L), 25 (M), 35 mg/kg (H) for 30 days
Positive control: Polyene phosphatidylcholine (135 mg/kg) for 30 days
AST/U.L-1: 143.7 ± 12.0, 258.7 ± 28.3, 230.0 ± 23.3 (L) 200.2 ± 25.5 (M) 222.2 ± 28.2 (H), 185.8 ± 39.6; ALT/U.L-1: 56.5 ± 6.5, 155.0 ± 27.8, 1123.3 ± 26.1 (L) 92.8 ± 14.7 (M) 98.5 ± 15.3 (H), 99.8 ± 9.6; MDA/[nmol.(mg.pro)−1]: 1.07 ± 0.14, 1.99 ± 0.87, 1.69 ± 1.26 (L) 1.14 ± 0.27 (M) 1.21 ± 0.28 (H), 1.22 ± 0.15; XOD/[U.(mg pro)−1]: 13.7 ± 1.3, 5.3 ± 3.1, 6.5 ± 1.2 (L) 8.6 ± 1.7 (M) 7.4 ± 1.0 (H), 9.9 ± 22.9; Na+-K+-ATP/[μmolPi.(mg.pro.h)−1]: 0.98 ± 0.14, 0.38 ± 0.06, 0.63 ± 0.18 (L) 0.76 ± 0.08 (M) 0.82 ± 0.10 (H), 0.75 ± 0.07; SOD/[U.(mg.pro)−1]: 65.8 ± 5.1, 61.2 ± 2.8 (L) 62.7 ± 5.7 (M) 60.0 ± 4.3 (H), 59.6 ± 2.8; GSH-Px/[U.(mg.pro)−1]: 21.1 ± 7.9, 9.5 ± 2.5, 14.3 ± 1.2 (L) 12.2 ± 1.7 (M) 13.4 ± 0.7 (H), 13.7 ± 1.0Huang et al. (2017)
Chronic alcoholic liver injuryAnimal: Wistar rats (male)
Model: 56° liquor (8 mL/kg-15 mL/kg) for 8 weeks
Treatment: Total lignans of 100 (L), 200 (M), 400 mg/kg (H) for 8 weeks
Positive control: Yishanfu (95 mg/kg) for 8 weeks
AST/U.L-1: 24.42 ± 2.79, 58.21 ± 14.83, 41.21 ± 7.69 (L) 29.92 ± 2.99 (M) 25.69 ± 10.74 (H), 36.05 ± 15.47; ALT/U.L-1: 11.34 ± 0.69, 51.53 ± 2.18, 34.83 ± 4.77 (L) 27.45 ± 1.82 (M) 331.99 ± 2.30 (H), 331.68 ± 5.09; MDA/[nmol.(mg.prot)−1]: 1.15 ± 0.33, 3.35 ± 1.15, 1.57 ± 0.19 (L) 1.09 ± 0.29 (M) 1.17 ± 0.29 (H), 1.32 ± 0.31; ADH/[nmol/(min.mg pro)]: 3.83 ± 0.82, 12.38 ± 3.60, 7.75 ± 2.89 (L) 5.99 ± 1.77 (M) 6.91 ± 1.42 (H), 8.39 ± 44.43; TG/mmol.L-1: 7.63 ± 0.73, 10.62 ± 0.74, 9.55 ± 0.99 (L) 8.51 ± 0.67 (M) 8.75 ± 0.63 (H), 8.01 ± 1.67; SOD/[U.(mg.prot)−1]: 423.81 ± 75.64, 193.52 ± 40.85, 317.09 ± 52.41 (L) 233.66 ± 64.95 (M) 296.12 ± 34.64 (H), 196.23 ± 80.47; GSH/[mg.(g.prot)−1]: 4.47 ± 1.81, 1.47 ± 0.47, 2.77 ± 0.39 (L) 3.60 ± 0.33 (M) 2.93 ± 0.53 (H), 2.11 ± 1.04; GSH-Px/[U.(mg.prot)−1]: 40.2 ± 4.45, 34.1 ± 3.85, 39.1 ± 4.85 (L) 39.5 ± 3.25 (M) 35 ± 2.71 (H), 41.5 ± 4.23; CAT/U.mL-1: 10.03 ± 1.13, 7.09 ± 1.26, 9.08 ± 0.51 (L) 9.17 ± 1.18 (M) 8.31 ± 0.95 (H), 9.36 ± 0.93; ALDH2/[nmol/(min.mg pro)]: 9.62 ± 1.96, 3.40 ± 1.33, 4.96 ± 1.59 (L) 5.78 ± 3.53 (M) 3.07 ± 1.37 (H), 5.83 ± 3.78Huang et al. (2018)
Cholestatic liver injuryAnimal: KM mice (male)
Model: Induction of ANIT (0.4%, 80 mg/kg)
Treatment: Total lignans (0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.4 g/kg) for 7 days
Positive control: Bifendate Pills group (0.15 g/kg) for 7 days
AST/U.L-1: 36.81 ± 11.13, 197.99 ± 11.67, 173 ± 21.48 (0.05 g/kg) 127.02 ± 11.07 (0.1 g/kg) 120.56 ± 16.87 (0.2 g/kg) 107.67 ± 44.34 (0.4 g/kg), 156.83 ± 16.49; ALT/U.L-1: 26.87 ± 14.69, 470.15 ± 18.68, 275.82 ± 17.69 (0.05 g/kg) 223.29 ± 42.17 (0.1 g/kg) 206.47 ± 25.35 (0.2 g/kg) 384.08 ± 26.11 (0.4 g/kg), 220.50 ± 46.87; ALP/U.L-1: 3.4 ± 0.6, 18.27 ± 2.53, 13.40 ± 1.87 (0.05 g/kg) 11.89 ± 3.12 (0.1 g/kg) 9.98 ± 2.04 (0.2 g/kg) 11.91 ± 1.36 (0.4 g/kg), 8.26 ± 2.23; TBA/μmol.L-1: 3.63 ± 0.35, 78.10 ± 8.38, 48.13 ± 8.98 (0.05 g/kg) 44.13 ± 13.28 (0.1 g/kg) 31.83 ± 5.84 (0.2 g/kg) 50.57 ± 17.10 (0.4 g/kg), 26.94 ± 110.15; TBIL/μmol.L-1: 1.62 ± 0.66, 191.57 ± 34.47, 106.56 ± 22.48 (0.05 g/kg) 41.65 ± 17.54 (0.1 g/kg) 229.89 ± 17.11 (0.2 g/kg) 96.07 ± 18.03 (0.4 g/kg), 41.96 ± 24.65; DBIL/μmol.L-1: 0.87 ± 0.19, 124.94 ± 18.72, 27.23 ± 9.13 (0.05 g/kg) 16.76 ± 10.48 (0.1 g/kg) 10.91 ± 6.21 (0.2 g/kg) 48.08 ± 21.09 (0.4 g/kg), 8.98 ± 3.92; SOD/U.mg-1: 527.97 ± 18.82, 243.02 ± 31.43, 297.27 ± 24.09 (0.05 g/kg) 2,295.93 ± 20.08 (0.1 g/kg) 322.70 ± 20.08 (0.2 g/kg) 312.37 ± 15.70 (0.4 g/kg), 368.28 ± 15.36); MDA/nmol.mg-1: 2.41 ± 0.92, 12.66 ± 1.61, 6.91 ± 0.95 (0.05 g/kg) 8.02 ± 2.18 (0.1 g/kg) 5.69 ± 1.27 (0.2 g/kg) 8.21 ± 2.56 (0.4 g/kg), 5.93 ± 2.28; CAT/U.mg-1: 22.96 ± 1.17, 8.87 ± 1.26, 12.56 ± 1.39 (0.05 g/kg) 17.97 ± 5.30 (0.1 g/kg) 13.53 ± 4.83 (0.2 g/kg) 18.77 ± 3.78 (0.4 g/kg), 19.41 ± 3.14; GSH-Px/mg.g-1: 132.54 ± 24.50, 21.51 ± 8.74, 54.45 ± 14.00 (0.05 g/kg) 70.80 ± 9.17 (0.1 g/kg) 83.14 ± 24.01 (0.2 g/kg) 77.28 ± 10.77 (0.4 g/kg), 89.81 ± 30.43; TNF-α/ng.L-1: 43.63 ± 2.07, 65.14 ± 7.40, 52.38 ± 3.34 (0.05 g/kg) 48.20 ± 1.91 (0.1 g/kg) 45.81 ± 2.09 (0.2 g/kg) 46.75 ± 3.10 (0.4 g/kg), 44.22 ± 2.5; MCP-1/ng.L-1: 31.11 ± 2.34, 226.06 ± 43.42, 155.01 ± 30.14 (0.05 g/kg) 117.14 ± 24.86 (0.1 g/kg) 110.79 ± 19.70 (0.2 g/kg) 154.40 ± 36.39 (0.4 g/kg), 129.28 ± 32.20Li et al. N. J. (2023)
acute alcoholic liver injuryTotal sterolsAnimal: ICR mice (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (0.3%, 10 mL/kg)
Treatment: Total sterols extract(10, 20, 50 mg/kg) for 7 days
Positive control: Silymarin (50 mg/kg) for 7 days
AST↓, ALT↓, IL-1β↓, IL-6↓, COX-2↓, IL-10↑Liu et al. (2022)
Immunological liver injuryFatty acidAnimal: Swiss mice
Model: 2.5 mg BCG was given by tail injection
Treatment: Fatty acid extract of 7 (L), 10 (M), 14.5 mL/kg (H) for 12 days
Positive control: Bifendate (200 mg/kg) for 12 days
MDA/nmol.mg-1: 16.26 ± 4.29, 20.56 ± 3.61, 16.51 ± 2.89 (L) 19.36 ± 3.01 (M) 19.29 ± 1.99 (H), 17.73 ± 1.01; ALT/U.L-1: 7.67 ± 1.27, 90.71 ± 16.62, 23.32 ± 8.30 (L) 45.83 ± 16.92 (M) 29.16 ± 16.90 (H), 18.84 ± 8.73; AST/U.L-1: 23.48 ± 4.39, 92.39 ± 10.81, 47.61 ± 5.37 (L) 51.54 ± 13.11 (M) 44.72 ± 15.61 (H), 54.44 ± 17.37; NO/μmol.L-1: 3.33 ± 1.69, 21.26 ± 8.20, 8.45 ± 2.13 (L) 14.21 ± 9.43 (M) 10.77 ± 3.70 (H), 7.38 ± 4.66; SOD/U.mg-1: 184.40 ± 17.25, 105.00 ± 22.71, 219.95 ± 16.13 (L) 196.19 ± 23.09 (M) 228.28 ± 27.69 (H), 127.89 ± 12.69Chen et al. (2014)
Liver protectionAnimal: Sprague-Dawley rats (male)
Model: Induction of CCl4 (3 mL/kg)
Treatment: Fatty acid extract of 1(L), 2 (M), 4 g/kg (H) for 5 days
Positive control: Bifendate (200 mg/kg) for 5 days
TG/nmol.L-1: 0.67 ± 0.21, 2.18 ± 0.53, 1.10 ± 0.38 (L) 1.03 ± 0.40 (M) 0.82 ± 0.1 (H), 1.44 ± 0.34; HDL/nmol.L-1: 0.99 ± 0.19, 1.30 ± 0.11, 0.43 ± 0.32 (L) 0.50 ± 0.13 M) 0.59 ± 0.12 (H), 0.57 ± 0.11; LDL/nmol.L-1:1.03 ± 0.24, 1.65 ± 0.10, 1.11 ± 0.37 (L) 1.08 ± 0.33 (M) 1.14 ± 0.20 (H), 1.06 ± 0.19; MDA/[nmol.(mg prot-1)]: 1.30 ± 0.11, 0.43 ± 0.32 (L) 0.50 ± 0.13 (M) 0.59 ± 0.12 (H), 0.57 ± 0.11; SOD/U.L-1: 57.69 ± 15.08, 42.86 ± 10.76, 74.28 ± 17.91 (L) 97.30 ± 12.51 (M) 102.69 ± 29.39 (H), 100.57 ± 21.66; TBIL/Umol.L-1: 1.15 ± 0.98, 11.89 ± 3.87, 6.54 ± 1.58 (L) 5.67 ± 2.07 (M) 4.75 ± 1.09 (H), 9.7 ± 2.6; AST/U.L-1: 229.00 ± 35.03, 1084.86 ± 289.13, 1181.38 ± 178.33 (L) 1039.43 ± 244.18 (M) 310.10 ± 33.99 (H), 1394.20 ± 278.11; ALT/U.L-1: 39.60 ± 5.41, 1263.43 ± 361.30, 1285.38 ± 322.05 (L) 1109.14 ± 365.50 (M) 297.40 ± 76.87 (H), 1394.20 ± 278.11; ALP/U.L-1: 136.7 ± 23.3, 281.6 ± 36.30, 220.8 ± 34.3 (L) 185.0 ± 21.3 (M) 141.3 ± 27.8 (H), 191.4 ± 29.4Li et al. (2014)
Immunological liver injuryPolysaccharideAnimal: KM mice (male)
Model: ConA (30 mg/kg) injection into the tail vein
Treatment: Polysaccharide of 0.71 (L), 0.99 (M), 1.44 g/kg (H) for 8 days
Positive control: Bifendate (0.2 g/kg) for 8 days
ALT/U.L-1: 9.0 ± 0.8, 143.6 ± 7.0, 130.2 ± 6.2(L) 115.9 ± 9.4 (M) 45.8 ± 4.7 (H), 42.6 ± 6.0; AST/U.L-1: 24.6 ± 2.4, 172.3 ± 9.4, 146.2 ± 15.4 (L) 124.2 ± 8.0 (M) 55.9 ± 4.4 (H), 172.3 ± 9.4; LDH/U.L-1: 1952.7 ± 133.7, 4606.6 ± 191.6, 3,948.3 ± 232.1 (L) 3,814.3 ± 227.8 (M) 3,187.9 ± 192.9 (H), 2,742.9 ± 179.3; NO/μmol.L-1: 2.3 ± 0.2, 6.7 ± 0.5, 4.5 ± 0.3 (L) 4.1 ± 0.5 (M) 3.6 ± 0.4 (H) 3.4 ± 0.2; IL-6/pg.mL-1: 30.4 ± 1.1, 74.5 ± 2.1, 56.5 ± 3.7 (L) 50.1 ± 2.8 (M) 45.7 ± 2.9 (H), 51.4 ± 3.2; MDA/[(nmol/mg.prot)]: 6.5 ± 0.3, 9.3 ± 0.5, 11.2 ± 0.7 (L) 9.0 ± 0.4 (M) 6.4 ± 0.7 (H), 7.5 ± 0.3; SOD/[(U/mg.prot)]: 187.6 ± 4.4 59.7 ± 4.3, 74.6 ± 3.1 (L) 99.9 ± 7.0 (M) 126 ± 10.7 (H), 90.9 ± 10.0; Degree of tissue damage↓Li et al. (2015a)
Acute alcoholic liver injuryHerpetfluorenoneAnimal: C57BL/6 mice; Cell: BMSCs
Model: Induction of CCl4
Treatment: 100 μM of Herpetfluorenone
AST↓, ALT↓, ALP↓, TBA↓, MDA↓, ALB↑, SOD↑, GSH↑Yang et al. (2023)
Acute alcoholic liver injuryHerpetinAnimal: C57BL/6 mice (male)Cell: BMSCs; Model: Induction of CCl4
Treatment: 10 μM of Herpetin
AST↓, ALT↓, AKP↓, ALB↑Ding et al. (2023)
Immunological liver injuryHerpetinAnimal: ICR mice (male); Model: ConA (20 mg/kg) injection into the tail vein; Treatment: 10 (L), 20 mg/kg (H) of herpetin for 7 days
Positive control: Qingkailing injection (20 mg/kg) for 5 days
iNOS: 0.215 ± 0.004, 0.290 ± 0.013, 0.275 ± 0.012 (L) 0.239 ± 0.009 (H), 0.237 ± 0.008; TNF-α: 0.130 ± 0.006, 0.166 ± 0.008, 0.145 ± 0.004 (L) 0.139 ± 0.005 (H), 0.141 ± 0.005; NF-κB: 0.129 ± 0.006, 0.150 ± 0.004, 0.153 ± 0.006 (L) 0.130 ± 0.002 (H), 0.141 ± 0.003; IFN-γ: 0.131 ± 0.006, 0.149 ± 0.006, 0.134 ± 0.003 (L) 0.132 ± 0.003 (H), 0.132 ± 0.005; IL-4: 0.104 ± 0.002, 0.129 ± 0.004, 0.121 ± 0.004 (L) 0.118 ± 0.002 (H) 0.117 ± 0.003; SOCS1: 0.120 ± 0.007, 0.081 ± 0.005, 0.087 ± 0.007 (L) 0.091 ± 0.008 (H), 0.105 ± 0.011Wang et al. (2016)
Immunological liver injuryHerpetinAnimal: ICR mice (male)
Model: Induction of BCG (2.5 mg) +LPS (7.5 μg)
Treatment: 10 (L), 20 mg/kg (H) of herpetin for 12 days
Positive control: Qingkailing injection (20 mg/kg) for 12 days
AST/U.L-1: 96.01 ± 9.40, 197.55 ± 8.1, 184.33 ± 15.86 (L) 161.59 ± 18.20 (H), 123.55 ± 11.07; ALT/U.L-1: 42.24 ± 1.52, 101.61 ± 5.05, 92.69 ± 2.75 (L), 68.35 ± 0.94 (M), 58.32 ± 2.44; LDH/U.L-1: 239.11 ± 20.05, 546.87 ± 18.16, 481.84 ± 9.04 (L) 393.70 ± 32.96 (H), 340.78 ± 16.13; MDA/nmol.mgprot-1: 15.98 ± 1.39, 38.41 ± 1.59, 35.61 ± 1.87 (L) 29.6 ± 1.52 (H), 24.38 ± 2.03; SOD/U.(mg.prot-1:97.47 ± 9.15, 68.08 ± 12.80, 75.75 ± 9.09 (L) 85.04 ± 8.75 (H), 88.64 ± 11.92; GSH-Px/U.mg.prot-1:545.37 ± 54.86, 292.78 ± 57.38, 380.12 ± 33.94 (L) 414.53 ± 48.03 (H), 463.56 ± 32.30Liu (2017b)

The hepatoprotective pharmacology of H. pedunculosum seeds.

TABLE 3

EffectsExtract/CompoundAnimal/Cell and interventionIndicators and results (control, model, treatment, positive control groups)Refs.
AntioxidationChloroformAnimal: SD rats
Model: Induction of CCl4 (50%, 0.6 mg/kg)
Treatment: chloroform extract of 200 (L), 400 mg/kg (H) for 7 days. Water extract of 200 (L), 400 mg/kg (H) for 7 days
Positive control: VitE (400 mg/kg) for 7 days
MDA/nmol.mg-1 protein: 8.65 ± 2.89, 16.92 ± 4.75, 7.22 ± 1.94 (L) 7.34 ± 0.97 (H), 5.16 ± 0.64; SOD/unit.mg-1 protein: 316.68 ± 19.05, 237.62 ± 17.81, 292.83 ± 41.64 (L) 289.52 ± 40.07 (H), 289.00 ± 25.29; GSH-px/unit.mg-1 protein: 146.36 ± 24.67, 101.82 ± 24.17, 118.51 ± 18.36 (L) 121.68 ± 223.16 (H), 142.56 ± 16.61Fang et al. (2008)
WaterMDA/nmol.mg-1 protein: 8.65 ± 2.89, 6.89 ± 1.26 (L) 6.11 ± 0.48 (H), 5.16 ± 0.64 SOD/unit.mg-1 protein: 316.68 ± 19.05, 272.29 ± 25.97 (L) 308.15 ± 13.34 (H), 289.00 ± 25.29; GSH-px/unit.mg-1 protein: 146.36 ± 24.67, 142.48 ± 10.83 (L) 148.25 ± 12.35 (H), 142.56 ± 16.61
Anti-fatigueChloroformAnimal: KM mice (the mice that could learn to swim, male)
Treatment: chloroform extract of 80 (L), 160 (M), 320 mg/kg (H); Ethyl acetate extract of 80 (L), 160 (M), 320 mg/kg (H); n-Butanol extract of 80 (L), 160 (M) 320 mg/kg (H) for 30 days; herpetrione of 15 (L), 30 (M), 60 mg/kg(H) for 30 days
Swimming time↑, survival time↑; HG/mg.g-1:9.99 ± 1.58,/, 10.40 ± 1.47 (L) 10.53 ± 1.56 (M) 10.58 ± 1.97 (H),/; LDH/U.L-1: 874.50 ± 64.22,/, 900.56 ± 143.87 (L) 942.11 ± 127.10 (M) 961.84 ± 70.95 (H),/; SOD/U.mL-1: 69.52 ± 9.79,/, 119.84 ± 16.13 (L) 118.50 ± 9.52 (M) 121.28 ± 8.44 (H),/; GSH-Px/U.L-1: 109.56/, 119.84 ± 16.13 (L) 118.50 ± 9.52 (M) 121.28 ± 8.44 (H),/; BLA/ng.100mL-1: 24.49 ± 1.99,/, 23.91 ± 2.85 (L) 23.19 ± 1.84 (M) 23.37 ± 1.67 (H),/; MDA/nmol.L-1:14.04 ± 2.07,/, 13.92 ± 1.58 (L) 13.56 ± 1.91 (M) 13.43 ± 1.42 (H),/Jin et al. (2016)
Ethyl acetateSwimming time↑, survival time↑; HG/mg.g-1: 9.99 ± 1.58,/, 10.55 ± 1.60 (L) 10.90 ± 1.58 (M) 11.56 ± 1.28 (H),/; LDH/U.L-1: 874.50 ± 64.22,/, 916.63 ± 137.80 (L) 996.50 ± 112.53 (M) 1073.66 ± 140.79 (H),/; SOD/U.mL-1 : 69.52 ± 9.79,/, 118.69 ± 9.38 (L) 120.54 ± 11.04 (M) 123.78 ± 8.18 (H),/; GSH-Px/U.L-1: 109.56 ± 9.58,/, 118.69 ± 9.38 (L) 120.54 ± 11.04 (M) 123.78 ± 8.18 (H) 1,/; BLA/ng.100mL-1: 24.49 ± 1.99,/, 23.09 ± 1.70 (L) 22.16 ± 2.16 (M) 21.94 ± 2.24 (H),/; MDA/nmol.L-1: 14.04 ± 2.07,/, 13.26 ± 1.47 (L) 12.261 ± 1.13 (M) 11.77 ± 1.44 (H),/
n-ButanolHG/mg.g-1: 9.99 ± 1.58,/, 10.04 ± 1.44 (L) 10.40 ± 1.79 (M) 11.45 ± 1.14 (H),/; LDH/U.L-1: 874.50 ± 64.22,/, 914.42 ± 153.03 (L) 926.89 ± 111.32 (M) 1028.14 ± 104.08 (H),/; SOD/U.mL-1: 69.52 ± 9.79,/, 117.02 ± 17.47 (L) 120.28 ± 17.46 (M) 119.15 ± 8.56 (H),/; GSH-Px/U.L-1:/, 117.02 ± 17.47 (L) 120.28 ± 17.46 (M) 119.15 ± 8.56 (H),/; BLA/ng.100mL-1: 24.49 ± 1.99,/, 25.41 ± 2.18 (L) 24.54 ± 2.64 (M)23.44 ± 2.56 (H),/; MDA/nmol.L-1 : 14.04 ± 2.07,/, 13.63 ± 2.11 (L) 13.27 ± 1.70 (M) 13.09 ± 1.21 (H),/
herpetrioneSwimming time↑, survival time↑; HG/mg.g-1; 9.99 ± 1.58,/, 10.87 ± 1.38(L) 11.67 ± 1.37 (M) 11.75 ± 1.25 (H),/; LDH/U.L-1:874.50 ± 64.22,/,1003.27 ± 92.20 (L) 1046.10 ± 109.91 (M) 1092.73 ± 109.60 (H),/; SOD/U.mL-1: 69.52 ± 9.79,/, 115.18 ± 11.96 (L) 10,220.44 ± 8.07 (M) 123.04 ± 11.36 (H),/; GSH-Px/U.L-1: 109.56 ± 9.58, 109.56 ± 9.58/, 115.18 ± 11.96 (L) 120.44 ± 8.07 (M) 123.04 ± 11.36 (H),/; BLA/ng.100mL-1: 24.49 ± 1.99,/, 22.40 ± 1.85 (L) 21.75 ± 1.78 (M) 20.91 ± 1.91 (H),/; MDA/nmol.L-1: 14.04 ± 2.07/, 12.15 ± 1.14 (L) 11.65 ± 1.24 (M) 11.50 ± 1.21 (H),/
Anti-tumorLignansCell: BEL-7402, BEL-7404, HCTIC50: 1.45 μg/mL, 1.68 μg/mL, 2.36 μg/mLYuan (2006a)
Anti-hyperuricemiaEthanolAnimal: KM mice (male); Model: Intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxonate emulsion (300 mg/kg). Treatment: ethanol extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) for 10 days. Positive control: colchicine (0.3 mg/kg) for 10 daysUA↓, XO(/)Wang et al. (2022b)
Anti-gouty arthritisWeight↑, Articular swelling↓, IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, UA↓Wang et al. (2022b)
Anti-cholestasisEthyl acetateAnimal: SD rats (male); Model: Induction of ANIT (60 mg/kg); Treatment: Ethyl acetate extract (100, 200, 400 mg/kg) for 7 days
Positive control: UDCA (100 mg/kg) for 7 days
ALT↓, AST↓, ALP↓, γ-GTP↓, TBIL↓, DBIL↓ TBA↓, GSH↓, SOD↓, GPx↓, CAT↓Wei et al. (2020)
Anti-skin inflammationEthanolAnimal: BALB/c mice (female); Cell: HaCat
Model: Mice induced by IMQ for 7 days; Hacat cell induced by IFN-γ (2 ng/mL) for 24 h
Treatment: ethanol extract (0.125, 1.25 and 12.5 μg/g) in mice for 7 days. Ethanol extract (12.5 mg/mL) in HaCat cell
IFN-γ↓, TNF-α↓, IL-17A↓, ICAM-1↓, CXCL9↓Zhong et al. (2023)
Anti-candida albicansHerpetin, herpetrioneMinimal inhibitory concentration of 10.5 μM and 9.2 μM, respectivelyDai et al. (2019)

The other pharmacology effects of Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds.

5.1 Hepatoprotective effect

Liver is a vital metabolic organ implementing multiple functions such as toxicant detoxification, protein synthesis, and special compound production, thus the increasing prevalence of liver illnesses including fatty liver, liver damage, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and cancer aroused great attention nowadays (Asrani et al., 2019). As collected in Table 2, plentiful researches showed the remarkable hepatoprotective effect of H. pedunculosum seeds through the adjustment of some enzymes in animal models with the induction of CCl4, paracetamol (APAP), concanavalin A (ConA), α-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT), liquor, bacillus calmette-guérin (BCG) and lipopolysaccharides (LPS). For instance, the ethyl acetate extract of H. pedunculosum seeds (EAEHPS) showed hepatoprotective activity against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats via the inflammatory pathway with obviously inhibiting the expression of NF-κB (IκBα), Samd3, and TGF-β1 proteins (Feng et al., 2018a). The water extract of H. pedunculosum seeds could alleviate APAP-induced liver injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and ferroptosis through activating the Nrf2 signal pathway (Li N. Z. et al., 2023). In addition, some proteins, such as NLRP3, TLR-2, TLR-4, and JNK, will have their expression reduced by the total lignan of H. pedunculosum seeds (TLHPS), so as to protect mice against ANIT-induced liver damage (Li J. et al., 2023). Some metabolites such as herpetfluorenone (HPF, 23) and herpetin (18) from H. pedunculosum seeds were further found to have a positive pharmaceutical effect on acute liver injury by promoting the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into hepatocellular-like cells and controlling autoimmune oxidation (Yang et al., 2023; Ding et al., 2023).

Based on above discussions and previous literatures, the hepatoprotective mechanism of H. pedunculosum seeds can be summarized into three pathways as illustrated in Figure 7. The first one is the inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway to alleviate the inflammation during liver diseases (Figure 7A). Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds can inhibit the phosphorylation of IκB through the inhibition of IKK, which in turn has anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective effects (Li N. Z. et al., 2023). The second mechanism is inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway (Figure 7B). EAEHPS an inhibit the phosphorylation of Smad3, which in turn inhibits the expression of relevant genes after the complex enters the nucleus, thus playing a role in inhibiting liver fibrosis (Feng et al., 2018a). The third one is the promotion of Keap1-Nrf2 signaling pathway (Figure 7C). Nrf2 plays a crucial role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. When activated by H. pedunculosum seeds, the stability of Nrf2 increases, leading to reduced degradation and subsequent activation of genes driven by the antioxidant response element (ARE), thereby exerting a protective effect against liver damage (Li N. Z. et al., 2023; Liao, 2023).

FIGURE 7

5.2 Antioxidation

Fang et al. (2007), Fang et al. (2008) demonstrated the antioxidant activities of CHCl3, water and ethanol extracts of H. pedunculosum seeds to prevent lipid peroxidation brought on by CCl4in vivo experiments. Jiang et al. (2020) tested the significant inhibitory activity of neocucurbitacin D (92) (IC50 = 15.27 ± 0.29 μM) and 23, 24-dihydrocucurbitacin B (97) (IC50 = 24.18 ± 0.26 μM) on XOD. Gong, (2013) showed that herpetone (7) has good DPPH free radical scavenging ability and antioxidant activity. Although many studies have shown that H. pedunculosum seeds has antioxidant effects, there are still some problems, such as the simplistic evaluation index and the unclear relationship between dose and activity.

5.3 Anti-cancer cells

The lignan of H. pedunculosum seeds demonstrated considerable in vitro inhibitory action against several cancer cells. The IC50 of lignans in H. pedunculosum seeds were 1.45 μg/mL, 1.68 μg/mL, and 2.36 μg/mL for human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (BEL-7402, BEL-7404), and HCT, respectively (Yuan, 2006a). Zhang et al. (2007) demonstrated the inhibitory effects of herpetolide A (102) and herpetolide B (116) on the growth of human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL-60). The metabolites of H. pedunculosum seeds including including herpetosiol A (42), herpetosiol C (44), 7′, 8′-didehydlroherpepetotriol (14), herpetetrol (2), herpepropenal (13), herpetrione (6) showed significant cytotoxicity on human gastric adenocarcinoma cells (SGC7901), human lung cancer cells (A549), human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231), and human hepatocellular carcinoma cells (HepG2) (Ma, 2020; Kong et al., 2023). However, these studies only perform a simple detection of IC 50 and cytotoxicity, and lack other powerful indicators to reflect the efficacy of the drug. In addition, it is worth noting that the anti-tumor effects are mainly tested at the cellular level, lacking in animal and mechanism investigations, which are noteworthy in further research.

5.4 Anticholestasis effects

EAEHPS exerted an anti-cholestatic effect with increasing bile flow in a dose-dependent manner, which promoted bile acid transport by activating the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) signaling pathway (Wei, 2020). Meanwhile, the EAEHPS activated the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway to alleviate oxidative stress and inhibit of NF-κB/Are signaling pathway to inhibit inflammatory response, which could prevent and treat ANIT-induced cholestasis in rats (Wei et al., 2020).

5.5 Other effects

Wang S. W. et al. (2022) found that EAEHPS also had anti-hyperuricemia and anti-gouty arthritis activities, through reducing serum uric acid (UA) levels, suppressing the production and releasing pertinent inflammatory components, and lessening inflammatory damage and pathological tissue necrosis. Jin et al. (2016) demonstrated the anti-fatigue effects of ethanol extract of H. pedunculosum seeds with longer swimming time and hypoxia tolerance of experimental mice than that of the control group. The ethanol extract further showed a therapeutic effect on skin inflammation caused by imiquimod (Zhong et al., 2023). Moreover, Dai et al. (2019) showed that herpetin (18) and herpetrione (6) had favorable anti-candida albicans effects with minimal inhibitory connection of 10.5 μM and 9.2 μM, respectively.

6 Structure-activity relationship of lignan

Considering the key role of lignans in H. pedunculosum seeds, their structure-activity relationship was summarized according to previous literatures. For benzofuran lignans (Figure 2), H-5 can improve its anti-inflammatory capacity when it remains unchanged (Wang L. X. et al., 2022). The electron-withdrawing or electron-donor groups on the benzene ring of benzofuran lignans can decrease their anti-tuberculosis activity (Xu Z. et al., 2019). The anti-tumor activity of tetrahydrofuran lignans with the 7-O-9′ structure (Figure 2B.) can be increased by fixing the following sites: C-7′ is carbonyl group, H-5/5′is not substituted, and C-4/4′is methoxy (Wang L. X. et al., 2022). The antioxidant capacity of furofuran lignans is reported to decrease with the number of substituted methoxy groups on their benzene ring (Wang L. X. et al., 2022). Meanwhile, the presence of methoxy benzene in furofuran lignans enhances its toxicity to tumor cells (Xu W. H. et al., 2019), which could provide a structure-activity basis for the anti-tumor effect of herpetrione (6, Figure 3) (Yuan, 2006a; Yuan et al., 2006b; Yuan et al., 2011). For dibenzylbutane lignans (Figure 2), stronger antiviral activity can be achieved when the hydrogens at C-4 and C-5 are substituted by hydroxyl and methoxy groups respectively, and that at C-3'/4'/5′are substituted by methoxy or hydroxyl groups (Xu et al., 2022). Therefore, the separation and structural modification of lignan compounds from H. pedunculosum seeds show great potential for the development of drug leads.

7 Pharmaceutical analysis

Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds are only stipulated qualitatively in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and their quantitative provisions are still lacking. The existing regulations are not enough to accurately evaluate the quality of H. pedunculosum seeds. Therefore, this section briefly introduces the latest research on modern analytical methods to provide guidance for quality evaluation for H. pedunculosum seeds.

Lignans such as herpetrione (6), herpetotriol (12), herpetin (18), and herpetfluorenone (23) are considered to be typical metabolites of the genus Herpetospermum and also the main active metabolites of H. pedunculosum seeds, which undoubtedly have a direct effect on the quality research of H. pedunculosum seeds and are indispensable to be detected. Wang, (2014) used herpetotriol (12) as the chemical reference materials in TLC to compare H. pedunculosum seeds from different areas. Cong et al. (2008) detected seven lignans from different areas by reversed-phase HPLC method. The results showed that herpetrione (6) was the most abundant among the seven metabolites, followed by herpetotriol (12). Qian et al. (2011) further accurately analyzed the average content of herpetrione (6) in 10 batches of H. pedunculosum seeds from different areas by UPLC, which was found to be 3.7223 mg g-1. Except lignan, other metabolites such as fatty acids and polysaccharides also contribute to the bioactivity of H. pedunculosum seeds, and their analysis are meaningful for the quality evaluation of H. pedunculosum seeds. Ling et al. (2018) detected four fatty acids in H. pedunculosum seeds by GC, the result showed that the content of oleic acid (82) was highest, followed by palmitic acid (81). Liu M. L., (2017a) combined UV-Vis and phenol-sulfuric acid methods to detect the polysaccharides in 10 batches of H. pedunculosum seeds, indicating higher polysaccharide content (2.16%) of H. pedunculosum seeds produced in Yunnan province. However, it is difficult to accurately evaluate the quality of H. pedunculosum seeds based on single or several metabolite analyses owing to its plentiful active metabolites, and establishing their fingerprint for similarity evaluation and principal component analysis could be a feasible choice in this aspect. Wang, (2014) found that there were 18 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprint, and the content of herpetolide A (102) was relatively high in all the samples to be analyzed. Subsequently, the HPLC fingerprint of H. pedunculosum seeds from Nyingchi region of Tibet was also studied, and 17 common peaks were identified, among which herpetrione (6) was the highest (Chen et al., 2020b).

In brief, among the active metabolites suitable for quantitative analysis, herpetrione (6) and herpetolide (102) exhibit various pharmacological activities with relatively high content, which have the potential to serve as markers for evaluating the quality of H. pedunculosum seeds. The current analysis methods for H. pedunculosum seeds are still far from perfect to establishing their quality evaluation system. It is urgent to elucidate the key indicative metabolites of H. pedunculosum seeds and develop standard determination methods capable of evaluating its quality comprehensively.

8 Processing

Processing methods are able to change the effect of H. pedunculosum seeds. For example, the stir-frying with grit can effectively alleviate the side effects of diarrhea caused by the shell of H. pedunculosum seeds. Meanwhile, the content of herpetrione (6) significantly decreased by 40.9% during this process, which can affect the clinical efficacy (Ling et al., 2018). Research further revealed that H. pedunculosum seeds processed by stir-frying with vinegar has better effects on protecting the liver and reducing enzymes, compared with sand owing to the lower herpetrione loss (12%) than that stir-frying with sand (41.4%). (Chen et al., 2016). Additionally, preparing the lignans of H. pedunculosum seeds into nanosuspension can improve their bioavailability and stability (Li et al., 2018; Shen et al., 2016). Therefore, the processing optimization could be a feasible approach to enhance the efficacy of H. pedunculosum seeds, which deserves more detailed research.

9 Application

The commercial herbal formulae including H. pedunculosum seeds and related details were collected in Table 4. For example, H. pedunculosum seeds is often combined with Swertia bimaculata, Terminalia schedule, and Carthami flos (1, 2, 3 in Table 4) to soothe the liver, promote bile flow, clear heat, and detoxify. When it is paired with Rosa multiflora, T. schedule, Phylanthus emblica (1, 2, 3, 4 in Table 4), formed compound medicines have the effects of strengthening the spleen, as well as promoting digestion. These summarizations and analyses supported the clinical practice of H. pedunculosum seeds and provided reference value for the development of other H. pedunculosum seed-derived prescriptions.

TABLE 4

NoNameCompositionEfficacyRefs.
1Sanwei Qiangwei powderRosa multiflora, Herpetospermum caudigerum, Terminalia chebulaClear heat and remove toxins, promote bile flow, For the treatment of Tri-pa and gallbladder diseasesChinese Pharmacopoeia Commission (1995)
2Jiuwei Zhangyacai pillSwertia bimaculata, Herpetospermum caudigerum, Aconitum tanguticum, Ixeris polycephala, Berberis kansuensis, Lagotis Gaertn, Hypecoum erectum, Radix Aucklandiae, Chrysosplenium sinicumClear heat, anti-inflammatory, alleviates pain. For cholecystitis and incipient icteric hepatitis
3Wuwei Jinse pillTerminalia chebula, Herpetospermum caudigerum, semen punicae granati, faeces soris scrofae, Radix aucklandiaeClear heat and promote bile flow, promote digestion. For the treatment of jaundice hepatitis, and gallbladder pain
4Shiwei gaining pillCarthami flos, Crocus sativus, Herpetospermum caudigerum, Meconopsis integrifolia, Dracocephalum tanguticum, Saxifraga stolonifera, Corydalis impatiens, Bear gallbladder, Calculus bovis, Brag-zhun, Calciosinti, and TurquoisisIt is used to treat fatty liver, viral hepatitis, liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other liver injuriesFeng et al. (2018b)
5Qiwei hezi powderTerminalia chebula, Herpetospermum caudigerum, Bombax ceiba, Amomum tsaoko Crevost, Syzygium aromaticum, Nardostachys chinensis, Piper longumClear heat and relieve pain. It is used for spleen enlargement, pain and spleen heat caused by strain injuryYuandan and Song (1987)
6Songshi pillSongshi, Borneol, Syzygium aromaticum, Santalum album, Pulvis fellis ursi, Forest musk abelmosk, Herpetospermum caudigerumClear heat and remove toxins, soothe liver. It is used to treat liver pain, cirrhosis, hepatitis and cholecystitisXu et al. (2023)
7Shiwei heibingpian powderBorneol, Pomegranate seed, Cinnamomum cassia, Myristica fragrans, Piper longum、Terminalia chebula、Light halititum, Herpetospermum caudigerum、Holarrhena antidysenteriaca, Pulvis fellis ursiIt is used to treat nausea, cholecystitis, gallstones, and jaundiceCang and De (2020)

Formulations and preparations of H. pedunculosum seeds.

10 Conclusions and prospects

Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds is a traditional Tibetan medicine with long history, rich chemical metabolites and high medicinal value. The research of H. pedunculosum seeds has achieved fruitful results and provided a scientific basis for the clinical medication. However, there are some shortcomings that need to be addressed in follow-up studies.

Although H. pedunculosum seeds is present in many Chinese patent medicines for the treatment of liver diseases, the interaction between the chemical metabolites in the prescriptions remains unclear and needs further investigation. Secondly, the supply of H. pedunculosum seeds is restricted due to the particular growth environment and limited wild resources. The large-scale cultivation of H. pedunculosum seeds could be of high research and economy value. Herpetospermum pedunculosum seeds are reported to contain 125 chemical metabolites, and lignan, terpenoids and coumarin are the main metabolites. Among them, lignan has been widely studied, which is usually recognized as the main pharmacological metabolite of H. pedunculosum seeds to exert hepatoprotective effect. However, the research on many other potentially active components such as polysaccharide is still in shortage. More advanced technologies can be used to extract, enrich, separate and purify the metabolites with low content and attention for better understanding of the medicinal material base of H. pedunculosum seeds. Moreover, there is a lack of structure-activity relationship studies of other active mmetabolites except lignans in H. pedunculosum seeds. The systematic structure-activity relationship studies can accelerate the synthesis of active metabolites and the development of related drugs derived from H. pedunculosum seeds.

The pharmacological effects of H. pedunculosum seeds, especially its effects on liver diseases, have been extensively researched. However, there are few in-depth studies on other pharmacological effects, and the current pharmacological research only remains at the cell and animal levels without comprehensive clinical research. Future research should take this as the direction to accelerate the clinical translation of drugs. Moreover, the quality standard of H. pedunculosum seeds still lacks the indicative components and standard detection method, which can be disadvantageous for standard pharmacology research and clinic practice. At present, some analytical methods have been used to detect the main bioactive ingredients with relatively high content such as herpetrione (6) and herpetolide (102), which may be a promising direction for better quality evaluation.

Although the current medical use of H. pedunculosum seeds is without processing, some studies have shown that H. pedunculosum seeds stir-fried with sand and vinegar can reduce their side effect of diarrhea and also the content of active ingredients. Therefore, the effect of processing method needs to be systematically determinated and optimized in combination with pharmacology and clinical research. In summary, this paper has comprehensively reviewed and analyzed the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, analytical methods and quality evaluation, processing and application of H. pedunculosum seeds, which can provide more insights for further research and development of traditional Tibetan medicine.

Statements

Author contributions

ZJ: Writing–original draft. CZ: Writing–original draft. XY: Writing–original draft. KW: Writing–original draft. ZS: Writing–original draft. WG: Writing–original draft. QaZ: Writing–original draft. XM: Formal analysis, Funding acquisition, Writing–review and editing. LQ: Writing–review and editing. QmZ: Writing–review and editing.

Funding

The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. Financial support from Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (LY24H290005), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82004208), and Research Project of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (2023GJYY16; GQD23SH23, BZXCG-2022-37).

Acknowledgments

It is also appreciated for the assistance from the Public Platform of Pharmaceutical Research Center, Academy of Chinese Medical Science, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and Shiyanjia Lab (www.shiyanjia.com).

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher’s note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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Summary

Keywords

Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, liver protection, lignan

Citation

Jiang Z, Zhang C, Yu X, Wang K, Sang Z, Gong W, Zhang Q, Meng X, Qin L and Zhao Q (2024) Traditional utilization, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmaceutical analysis, processing and application of the seeds of Herpetospermum pedunculosum (Ser.) C.B. Clarke: a comprehensive review. Front. Pharmacol. 15:1498768. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1498768

Received

19 September 2024

Accepted

26 November 2024

Published

19 December 2024

Volume

15 - 2024

Edited by

Hongbo Li, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, China

Reviewed by

Claudio Frezza, Università Link Campus, Italy

Changfu Wang, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, China

Updates

Copyright

*Correspondence: Xiongyu Meng, ; Lupin Qin, ; Qiming Zhao,

†These authors have contributed equally to this work

Disclaimer

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

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