Physochlainae Radix, a review of its phytochemistry, pharmacology, toxicity and medica processing

Physochlainae Radix [called Huashanshen (华山参)in Chinese], the root of Physochlaina infundibularis Kuang. (PI), is utilized as traditional medicine in China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) use, Huashanshen (HSS) is traditionally used to treat wheezing and coughing, palpitation and insomnia. The information related to HSS was gathered by searching the internet (ScienceDirect, CNKI, WANFANG DATA, Google Scholar and Baidu Scholar) and libraries. From 1965 to September 2023, 99 compounds have been isolated and identified from HSS. This work systematically sorted out 99 compounds with clear structures in HSS. On this basis, combined with the chemical composition of HSS, its functional efficacy was expounded. The aim of this review was to examine this plant’s botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicity, medica processing and quality control. The main chemical constituents of HSS include alkaloids, especially tropane alkaloids and the secondary compounds include volatile oils, fatty acids and phenolic acids, amides and other small molecules. These active substances endowed HSS antiasthmatic activity, central nervous system activity, cardiovascular activity, hepatoprotective activity, renal protective activity, enhance immune system, improve gastrointestinal function and other pharmacological activities, which has been verified many times in vivo and in vitro experiments. The TCM use of HSS, including warming lung to eliminate sputum, relieving cough and asthma and tranquilizing mind, is based on its antiasthmatic activity, central nervous system activity, cardiovascular activity, hepatoprotective activity, renal protective activity. In addition, the toxicity of HSS is closely related to tropane alkaloids. Considering the requirement of balancing efficacy and safety in clinical applications, the quality standards of HSS need to rely on modern analytical techniques and pharmacological methods for more in-depth research. There is a conflict between the medical needs and resource protection of HSS, and how to solve the shortage of natural resources of HSS is an important issue. Modern research on resource protection and development of medicinal ingredients is also the direction of future research.

Graphical abstract