Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge: A review of its biological characteristics, steroidal saponin biosynthesis and their molecular mechanisms

Abstract

Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a medicinal herb that has been traditionally employed in Chinese medicine for its heat-clearing, fire-purging, body fluid-promoting, and dryness-moistening effects. Modern phytochemistry research has identified a range of steroidal saponins in A. asphodeloides with diverse pharmacological activities. Recently, due to increasing demand, the diminishing wild resource of A. asphodeloides is being gradually replaced by cultivated sources. A review of the biological characteristics of this species lays a crucial foundation for the enhancement of its cultivation practices. Some studies indicate that the content and composition of steroidal saponins can vary based on the cultivation environment and growth stage; however, the connection between the cultivation methods for A. asphodeloides and the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins has not been extensively detailed in the literature. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the biological characteristics, including botanical descriptions, ecological features, and reproductive methods, as well as the biosynthesis of steroidal saponins and their underlying molecular mechanisms. Such insights can facilitate the optimization of cultivation practices to enhance the content of active components at the molecular level.