全 文 ：Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences
Elsholtzia: review of traditional uses, chemistry and pharmacology
Ai-Lin Liu1,2, Simon M.Y. Lee2, Yi-Tao Wang2 and Guan-Hua Du1*
1.Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China;
2.Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macao, China
Abstract: The chemical constituents, pharmacological activity and traditional uses of 20 species attributed to the genus Elsholtzia
(Labiatae) used in China are reviewed and compared. A survey of the literature available shows that these species are used mostly
for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, some of these Elsholtzia species show antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory, relieving fever, analgesic activities and myocardial ischemia protection. Generally, the essential oils or
flavonoids from these plant extracts are assumed to be the active principles.
Keywords: Elsholtzia species; Chemical constituent; Traditional uses; Labiatae
CLC number: R285 Document code: A Article ID: 1003–1057(2007)2–073–06
73
Introduction
Elsholtzia Willd belongs to labiatae family. There are
about 40 species of Elsholtzia Willd in the world.
These species mainly distribute in the east of Asia, 33
species, 15 varies and 5 forms grown in China, 1 spe-
cies extended to Europe and North America, 3 spe-
cies grown in Ethiopia[1]. Among these species, some
are used as medicines, while other are taken as food
or the source of honey manufacture.
The distribution of 20 species of Elsholtzia Willd is
shown in Table 1.
Traditional uses of Elsholtzia species
In folk medicine, the most common uses of Elsholtzia
species are for the treatment of cold, fever, diarrhea,
dysentery, digestion disorder, heat stroke, detoxica-
tion and so on, as Table 2 shows[2]. For these uses,
the plant is commonly prepared by decoction[1].
Some Elsholtzia species are employed as a remedy
for cold: E. ciliata, E. myosurus, E. densa, E. densa
var. calycocarpa, E. splendens, E. cyprianii var.
angustifolia, E. blanda, E. communis, E. cypriani, E.
penduliflora, E. rugulosa, E. feddei and E.
strobilifera[1, 3, 4]. Two of these plants, E. ciliata and E.
myosurus, are also commonly used as remedies for
cough[1].
Some Elsholtzia species are taken as remedies for
anti-inflammation and analgesic, such as E. rugulosa,
E. penduliflora, E. blanda, E. bodinieri, E. stauntoni,
E. fruticosa var. fruticosa, E. myosurus, E. densa,
and E. ciliata[1, 3].
Besides cold and fever, E. rugulosa is also taken
as a remedy for indigestion, bellyache, abdominal
Received date: 2007-01-03.
* Corresponding author. Tel.: 86-10-83165426; fax: 86-10-63165184;
e-mail: dugh@imm.ac.cn
distension, gastroenteritis, dysentery, epistaxis, cough-
ing up blood, postpartum abdominalgia, bleeding
wound, rotten sore, snake bite and so on[1], in addi-
tion E. blanda is also available for hepatitis,
dysentery, faucitis, tonsillitis, toothache, acute
gastroenteritis, acute and chronic pyelonephritis[5].
E. penduliflora is usually taken as a remedy for
anthrax, wound infection, influenza, epidemic
meningitis, pharyngolaryngitis, tonsillitis, mammitis,
pneumonia, bronchitis, malaria. E. cypriani var.
cypriani is used as a remedy for furunculosis, rhinor-
rhea with turbid discharge. E. bodinieri is taken as a
remedy for headache and bodyache, sore throat,
toothache, indigestion, dysentery, eye pain, acute
conjunctivitis, anuresis, and hepatitis. The action and
uses of E. heterophylla is nearly the same with E.
bodinieri.
Elsholtzia splendens is also used for headache,
anhidrosis, bellyache, vomiting, diarrhea, cutaneous
and beriberi. E. ciliata var. ciliata is used as a remedy
for acute gastroenteritis, bellyache, vomiting and
diarrhoea, sun-stroke in summer and autumn, headache
and fever, nephrasthenia asthma and absent sweating,
cholera, cutaneous, epistaxis, halitosis and so on.
E. communis is also taken as a remedy for
headache, indigestion. Ecstrobilifera var. strobilifera
is utilized as a remedy for inducing sweating to re-
lieve exterior syndrome, and E. kachinensis is used as
vegetable in Yunnan Province, China.
Chemical constituents of Elsholtzia species
More than 50 compounds have been isolated from
Elsholtzia species, and more than 100 constituents
have been analyzed in their essential oil. Their chemi-
cal constituents can be divided into flavonoids,
coumarins, lignanoids, triterpenoids, steroids, fatty
acids, and essential oil.
74 A. L. Liu et al. / Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences 2007 (16) 73–78
Table 1. Species of Elsholtzia Willd
Plant: H=herb; S=shrub; SS=sub shrub.
Table 2. Traditional uses and pharmacological activities of
Elsholtzia species
Species Traditional uses Pharmacology References
E. rugulosa A, B, C, D, E, G, P [1, 6]
E. fruticosa C [1]
E. flava D [1]
E. penduliflora A, C, F [1]
E. blanda A, B, C, O G [1, 5]
E. communis A, B, D, E [1]
E. cypriani A, C, D, H, I [1]
E. densa C [1]
E. strobilifera D [1]
E. bodinieri A, B, C, D, H [1]
E. kachinensis J [1]
E. splendens A, B, D A, B, C, E, F, [1, 8, 9, 10, 11]
H, K, L, M
E. souliei A [1]
E. feddei A [1]
E. ciliate A, B, C, D, E, G B, C [1, 6, 11]
E. argyi F [1, 12]
E. heterophylla A, B, C, D, H [1]
A: respiratory diseases treatment; B: analgesic; C: anti-inflammatory;
D: antipyretic; E: indigestion treatment; F: anti-bacteria/anti-virus;
G: remedy for diarrhea and dysentery; H: sedative; I: haemostasis;
J: vegetable; K: diuresis; L: antispasmodic; M: anti-hyperlipemia;
O: cardiovascular protection; P: detoxication.
Species Plant Chinese name Distribution References
E. blanda Benth. H Si Fang Song Guangxi, Guizhou, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Laos, [1, 5]
Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam]
E. bodinieri vaniot H Dong Zi Su Guizhou, Yunnan [1]
E. ciliate (Thunb.) Hyland. H Xiang Ru In all Provinces except Qinghai and Xinjiang [Cambodia, [1, 2, 6]
India, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Russia,
Thailand, Vietnam; introduced in Europe and North America]
E. communis (Coll. Et Hemsl.) Diels H Ji Long Cao Yunnan, [Myanmar, Thailand] [1]
E. cyprianii (Pavol.) C. Y. Wu et S. Chow H Ye Xiang Cao Anhui, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Shaanxi, [1]
Sichuan, Yunnan
E. densa Benth. H Mi Hua Xiang Ru Gansu, Hebei, Liaoning, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, [1]
Xinjiang, Xizang, Yunnan [Afghanistan, India, Nepal,
Pakistan, Tajikistan]
E. densa Benth. var. calycocarpa (Diels) E Guo Xiang Ru Gansu, Qinghai, Sichuan, Shanxi, Yunnan [1]
C. Y. Wu
E. eriostachya Benth. H Mao Shui Xiang Ru Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [1]
E. feddei Levl. H Gao Yuan Xiang Ru Gansu, Hebei, Qinghai, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Sichuan, Xizang, [1]
Yunnan
E. flava Benth. Huang Hua Xiang Ru Guizhou, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [India, Nepal] [1]
E. fruticosa (D. Don) Rehder S Ji Gu Cai Gansu, Hubei, Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, Guangxi, Guizhou, [1]
Hubei, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan [Bhutan, India, Nepal]
E. heterophylla Diels H Yi Ye Xiang Ru Yunnan, [Burma] [1]
E. luteola Diesl H Dan Huang Xiang Ru Yunnan, Sichuan [1]
E. myosurus Dunn S Su Wei Xiang Ru Sichuan, Yunnan [1]
E. penduliflora W. W. Smith SS Da Huang Yao Yunnan [1]
E. rugulosa Hemsl. H, SS Ye Ba Zi Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Yunnan [1, 7]
E. souliei levl. H Chuan Dian Xiang Ru Sichuan, Yunnan [1]
E. splendens Nakai ex F. Maekawa H Hai Zhou Xiang Ru Guangdong, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Liaoning, [1, 8, 9, 10, 11]
Shandong, Zhejiang [Korea]
E. stauntonii Benth. SS Mu Xiang Ru Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Shaanxi, Shanxi [1]
E. strobilifera Benth. H Qiu Sui Xiang Ru Sichuan, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan [India, Nepal] [1]
E. kachinensis Prain H Shui Xiang Ru Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, [1]
Sichuan, Yunnan [Myanmar]
E. argyi Levl. H Zi Hua Xiang Ru Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hubei, Hunan,
Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Zhejiang, [Japan, Vietnam (cultivated)] [1,12]
Chemical constituents of Elsholtzia species
More than 50 compounds have been isolated from
Elsholtzia species, and more than 100 constituents
have been analyzed in their essential oil. Their chemi-
cal constituents can be divided into flavonoids,
coumarins, lignanoids, triterpenoids, steroids, fatty
acids, and essential oil.
Flavonoids
Flavonoids are important chemical constituents exert-
ing bioactivities. From genus Elsholtzia, more than 30
flavonoids have been isolated, which are shown in
Table 3.
Coumarins
Several coumarins have been isolated from genus Elsholtzia.
5-(3¢¢ -Methylbutyl)-8-methoxyl furanocoumarin and 5-(3¢¢,
3¢¢ -dimethyl allyl)-8-methoxyl furanocoumarin have been
isolated from E. stauntoni, E. densa and E.densa var.
calycocarpa[15, 18, 21]. 5-(3¢¢ -Hydroxyl-3¢¢
75A. L. Liu et al. / Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences 2007 (16) 73–78
Table 3. Compounds of flavonoids from genus Elsholtzia
Note: The plant source in the table. a: E. ciliate, b: E. stauntoni, c: E. splendens, d: E. eriostachya, e: E. densa, f: E.densa var. calycocarpa, g:
E. rugulosa, h: E. densa var. ianthina (Maxim. ex Kanitz) C. Y. Wu et S. C. Huang.
No. Compound name Formula Plant source References
1 5-Hydroxyl-6, 7-dimethoxyl flavone C17H14O5 a [13, 14]
2 5-Hydroxyl-7, 8-dimethoxyl flavone C17H14O5 a [13]
3 5,7-Dimethoxyl - 4¢ -hydroxyl flavone C17H14O5 a, b [15, 16]
4 Muxiangrine I (5, 5¢ -dihydroxyl-7-methoxyl-6, 8, 3¢¢ , 3¢¢ -tetramethyl- 3¢ , 4¢ -pyran flavone) C23H22O6 b [15, 17]
5 Muxiangrine II (5, 5¢ -dihydroxyl-7-methoxyl-6, 3¢¢ , 3¢¢ -trimethyl- 3¢ , 4¢ -pyran flavone) C22H18O6 b [15, 17]
6 Muxiangrine III (5, 3¢ , 4¢ -trihydroxyl-7-methoxyl-6, 8-dimethyl- 5¢ -isopentenyl flavone) C23H24O6 b [15, 17]
7 5-Hydroxy-7, 4¢ -dimethoxyl flavanonol C17H16O6 a [13]
8 5-Hydroxy-6-methyl-7-O-á-D-galactosyl-dihydroflavonoid glycoside C22H24O9 a [13]
9 5,7, 3¢ , 6¢ -Tetrahydroxyl-8, 2¢ -dimethoxyl flavone C17H16O8 b [14]
10 2-Hydroxylbenzoic acid-5-O-â-D-pyranglucoside C13H16O8 b [14]
11 Isofermononetin- 4¢ -glucoside C22H22O9 b [15]
12 Isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside C28H32O16 b [15]
13 Kaempferol-3-O-â-D-glucoside C21H20H11 e [14, 18]
14 Morin-7-O-â-D-glucoside C21H20H12 d [14, 19, 20]
15 Luteolin-7-O-â-D-glucoside C21H20O11 d [19, 20]
16 Luteolin-5-O-â-D-glucoside C21H20O11 d [19, 20]
17 Isosakuranetin-7-O-â-D-Neohesperidoside C28H34O14 d [19, 20]
18 Acacetin-7-O-â-D-rutinoside C28H32O14 d [19, 20]
19 Acacetin-7-O-â-D-glucoside C32H22O11 a [13]
20 5-Hydroxyl- 3¢ -methoxyl-dihydroflavone-7-O-rutinoside C28H33O16 e [18]
21 Meletin-3-O-â-D-glucoside C21H20O12 e [18]
22 Meletin-3-O-â-D-glacatoside C21H20O12 d [19]
23 Meletin-3-O-â-D-glacatosyl(6-1)-á-L-rhamnoside C28H32O14 b [15]
24 5-Hydroxyl-4’-methoxylflavone-7-O-rutinoside C28H32O14 e [18]
25 Hyperoside C21H20O12 d [20]
26 3¢¢ , 4¢¢ , 5¢¢ -Trimethoxyl furanoflavone C20H16O6 f [21]
27 3¢¢ -Hydroxyl- 4¢¢ ,5¢¢ -dimethoxyl furanoflavone C19H16O6 f [21]
28 Kaempferol C15H10O6 h [22]
29 Apigenin C15H10O5 c, g [23, 24]
30 Luteolol C15H10O6 c [23]
31 7, 4¢ -Dimethoxyl kaempferol C17H14O6 g [24]
Figure 1. Structures of some flavonoids.
Me
MeO
Me
OH
O
O
O
OH
MeO
Me
OH
O
O
O
OH1
2
1
4
5
5
Me
MeO
Me
OH
O
O
OH
OH
1
4
5
OO
O
O
O
O
OO
O
O
O
O
Muxiangrine I Muxiangrine II
Muxiangrine III 3, 4, 5-Trimethoxyl furanoflavone
3-Hydroxyl-4, 5-dimethoxyl furanoflavone
Figure 2. Structures of some coumarins.
Arctigenin 3-Hydroxyarctiin
Figure 3. Structures of two lignans.
5-(3-Hydroxyl-3-methylbutyl)-
OO
OMe
O OO
OMe
O
HO
OO
OMe
O
5-(3-Methylbutyl)-8-methoxyl
furanocoumarin
8-methoxyl furanocoumarin
5-(3, 3-Dimethylallyl)-8-methoxyl furanocoumarin
O
HO
O
O
O
H
H
O
O
O
O
O
O
H
H
O
glucDβ
76 A. L. Liu et al. / Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences 2007 (16) 73–78
Figure 4. Structures of the triterpenoids and steroids.
Lignans
Two lignans, arctigenin and 3-hydroxyarctiin have
been isolated from E. densa Benth. by Zheng et al[20].
Triterpenoids and steroids
There are two triterpenoids and three steroids isolated
from genus Elsholtzia. Ursolic acid was isolated from
E. densa[13, 14], oleanolic acid was isolated from E.
densa var. ianthina[22], stigmasterol was isolated from
E. rugulosa [24], ß-sitosterol was isolated from E.
densa[13, 14], E. stauntonii[15] and E. eriostachy[20], and
daucosterol was isolated from E. ciliate[13].
Fatty acids
Fatty acids isolated from genus Elsholtzia include
palmic acid, linolic acid[13, 25], succinic acid[18, 20] and
sorbic acid[24].
Essential oil
Species of genus Elsholtzia generally possess plenti-
ful essentail oil, which exerts strong inhibition of
central nervous system and takes on definite analge-
sic effect and shows antibiotic and ant-inflammation
effects as well [26].
There are about 100 chemical constituents of es-
sential oil analyzed by modern analysis instruments,
such as gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry (GC-
MS)[26–30]. The main chemical constituents of essential
oil from different Elsholtzia species are not the same.
The main constituents of the essential oil from sev-
eral Elsholtzia species are shown in Table 4.
Other compounds
In addition, there are some other kinds of compounds
from genus Elsholtzia, such as saussurenoside[22],
eicosane, hexatriacontane[24], 3, 4-dihydroxyl cin-
namic acid (i.e. caffeic acid) [18] and so on.
HO
O
OH
HO
OH
O
HO HO
Ursolic acid Oleanolic acid
Stigmasterol ß-Sitosterol
Table 4. Main chemical constituents of essential oil from genus
Elsholtzia
Pharmacology of Elsholtzia species
Some medical scientists have studied on the bioactivity
of several Elsholtzia species, but most of the studies
are focused on the bioactivity of essential oil, and the
other constituents have been studied less.
Antibacterial activity
Essential oils from some Elsholtzia species have
shown extensively inhibitory activity against some
bacteria frequently result in respiratory infections in
human, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus
typhi, Aeruginosus bacillus, Diplococcus intracellu-
laris[8, 9].
Besides, essential oils or water decotion from some
Elsholtzia species have also shown antimicrobial ac-
tivity against other bacteria: Escherichia coli, Shi-
gella flexneri, Staphylococcus epidermidis, beta
streptococcus, Bacterium paratyphosum B, Bacillus
typhi murium, Bacillus dysenteriae, Bacillus
diphtheriae, Bacillus meningitidis purulentae, Bacil-
lus proteus, anthrax Bacillus, Neisseria intracellu-
laris[34].
Antiviral activity
Essential oil from E. densa showed a significant in-
hibitory effect on Asia influenza virus A and Orphan
virus in vitro, and it could postpone the symptom ap-
pearance by 72 – 96 h after being infected by virus in
vivo[34]. The literature[35] reported that the essential oil
from E. densa displayed inhibitory effect on H3N2
Species Main chemical constituents of References
essential oill
E. rugusola Thymol, carvacrol, methyl thymyiether, [7, 29]
1, 8-cineole, linalool, isopinocamphone,
ß-dehydroelsholtzia ketone, camphor,
elsholtzia ketone
E. splendens Thymol, carvacrol [31]
E. ciliata ß- Dehydroelsholtzia ketone, elsholtzia [2]
ketone, 2-methyl-1, 3, 5-trimethyl-benzene,
aromadendrene, d-carvone, limonene
E. patrini ß- Dehydroelsholizione, elsholtzia ketone, [27]
d-carvone, aromadondrene, 2-methoxy-
1, 3, 5-trimethyl benzene, limonene
E. Kachinensis ß-Dehydroelsholizione, carvone, [32]
octenyl acetate
E. densa var. 2-(2?, 3?-Dimethyl butyl)-3-methyl furan [30]
calycocarpa
E. densa var. Tricyclo[4, 3, 1, 13, 8]undecan-1-ol, 2, [26]
ianthina 3, 5, 6-tetramethyl-phenol, 3-phenyl-2-
butanone, caryophyllene
E. argyi Limonene, geranial, neral, ß-trans-ocimene [28]
E. densa Ocimene, 1-p-menthadien-1, 8, ß-cubebene, [33]
thymol
E. stauntonii 1, 8-Cineole, ß-pinene, camphorquinone, [4]
trans-caryophyllene
77A. L. Liu et al. / Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences 2007 (16) 73–78
subtype of influenza A virus, and displayed remark-
able therapeutic effect on mouse pulmonitis induced
by influenza virus when the mouse was administered
with the essential oil (100 mg·kg–1).
Anti-inflammation and relieving fever activity
The essential oil from E. ciliata showed significant
anti-inflammatory activities against rat’s foot swelling
induced by 5-HT or carrageenan, and against chronic
arthritis induced by formaldehyde[6]. The decotion of
E. densa displayed antipyretic activity[34].
Analgesic and sedative activity
The essential oil from E. ciliata showed a significant
analgesic activity when injected by its effective com-
ponents applying hot plate methods. Besides, it in-
creased the hypnosis effect of sodium pentobarbital.
This phenomenon suggested that it may possess a
sedative effect[34].
Immune enhancement effect
The essential oil of E. densa showed increased spe-
cific and nonspecific immune response and improved
defense system. The oil made the weight of spleen
increased: this suggested that it could promote the
proliferation of T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte. The
essential oil displaying enhancement effect on anti-
body forming cell of spleen, and increasing the total
amount of antibody for anti-SRBC (sensitization red
blood cell, SRBC), suggested that it could promote
antibody immunity in the phases of reaction and
effect. In the aspect of nonspecific immune response,
the essential oil of E. densa showed that it could in-
crease the amount of lysozyme in serum[36].
Protection effect on myocardial ischemia
It was reported that total flavones from Elsholtzia
blanda Benth (TFEB) 100 mg·kg–1 exerted notable in-
hibition in the elevation of serum creatine kinase-MB
(CK-MB) and malondialdehyde (MDA) activity.
TFEB significantly reduced mean arterial pressure
(MAP) and coronary vascular resistance (CVR). The
decrease in coronary blood flow (CBF) also tended to
be smaller in treated dogs. TFEB improved the recovery
of myocardial function by depressing the degree of
reduction in ±dp/dtmax and end-diastolic pressure of
left ventricle (LVEDP). TFEB also showed a capacity
to resist ischemic damage through lowering blood
viscosity. The results indicated that TFEB kept heart
from ischemic damage due to coronary occlusion in
Beagle dogs[22, 39].
Other activities
The essential oil of E. densa displayed a significant
inhibitory effect on spontaneous contraction of ex
vivo ileum of mouse, rat, guinea pig and rabbit,
among which their EC50 were 35.1 µg·mL–1, 14.2
µg·mL–1, 3.6 µg·mL–1 and 7.6 µg·mL–1, respectively.
Extract of E. densa showed notable inhibitory effects
on ACE2 and HMG-CoA, and suggested that it
maybe possess the effect on lowering blood pressure
and decreasing cholesterol[34].
Toxicity
The LD50 of essential oil from E. densa was 1.304 – 1.333
mL·kg–1 by oral administration. There was no obvious
pathological change in animal organs by macroscopic
observation[38]. The LD50 of essential oil from E.
ciliata was 4.497 ± 0.368 mL·kg–1, and the LD50 of E.
splendens was 1.145 ± 0.100 mL·kg–1[8].
Discussion and conclusion
There are diverse Chinese names for each Elsholtzia
species because local people often name a plant ac-
cording to its form, color, taste and action. In Table 1,
only the representative Chinese names for each spe-
cies are listed[1].
Additionally, two plants: Mosla chinensis Maxim.
and Origanum vulgare L. which belong to Labiatae
family, are often regarded as Elsholtzia species and
used for cold and fever, headache, bellyache,
vomiting, diarrhea and dysuria[34, 37] due to similar ac-
tions to genus Elsholtzia.
Throughout our literature review, we can see that,
generally, the species of the genus Elsholtzia show a
variable content of essential oils and the constituents,
of which were found in these oils by higher fre-
quency were thymol, 1, 8-cineole, â-dehydroelsholi-
zione, elsholtzia ketone, linalool, carvacrol, and p-
cymene. The isolation of constituents from Elsholtzia
species have been studied less, and now there are
only about 50 compounds isolated from several
Elsholtzia species. According to their structural
features, they can be divided into flavonoids, lignans,
coumarins, triterpenoids, steroids and other kinds of
compounds.
The traditional uses of Elsholtzia species have been
reviewed and published extensively in China. They
show little toxicity[8, 38].
In conclusion, there are a few studies about the
pharmacological activity of Elsholtzia species. Most
of the studies up to date focus on antimicrobial, ant-
inflammatory, relieving fever, sedative and analgesic
effects of essential oils or different extracts. There is
a lack of detailed isolation studies of chemical con-
stituents and detailed evaluation of their pharmaco-
logical activities. Thus, we believe that the isolation
of new active principles from these species would be
of great scientific merit. In addition, the scientific
validation for their popular uses deserves further
investigation.
78 A. L. Liu et al. / Journal of Chinese Pharmaceutical Sciences 2007 (16) 73–78
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thanks the National High Tech-
nology Research and Development Program of China
(863 Program, No.2004AA2Z3782), Platform Pro-
gram of National Scientific and Technological Foun-
dation (No.2003DIB1J085), and Key Laboratory of
Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of
Chinese Herbal Medicine (Peking Union Medical
College), Ministry of Education for their supports.
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香薷属植物的传统应用, 化学与药理学研究进展
刘艾林1, 2, 李铭源2, 王一涛2, 杜冠华1
(1. 中国协和医科大学 中国医学科学院 药物研究所, 北京100050
2. 澳门大学中华医药研究所, 中国 澳门)
摘要：本文对 20种产于中国的唇形科香薷属植物的化学成分、药理活性与传统应用进行了综述和比较。据文献报道，
这些植物大部分用于治疗呼吸道和胃肠道的功能失调。另外，部分植物还具有抗菌、抗炎、解热镇痛和心肌缺血保护作
用。从这些植物分离得到的挥发油和黄酮通常被认为是植物药理作用的物质基础。
关键词：香薷属植物；化学成分；传统应用；唇形科