A review of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr and Maxim.) harms: From ethnopharmacological use to modern application

• Published in: Journal of ethnopharmacology Vol. 268; p. 113586
• Main Authors: Jia, Ailing, Zhang, Yuhang, Gao, Han, Zhang, Zhen, Zhang, Yanfei, Wang, Zhe, Zhang, Jinming, Deng, Bin, Qiu, Zhidong, Fu, Chaomei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier B.V 25.03.2021
• Subjects: Acanthopanax senticosus; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - therapeutic use; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - isolation & purification; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - therapeutic use; Eleutherococcus; Ethnopharmacological uses; Ethnopharmacology - methods; Ethnopharmacology - trends; Humans; Medicine, Chinese Traditional - methods; Medicine, Chinese Traditional - trends; Pharmacological activities; Phytochemicals; Phytochemicals - isolation & purification; Phytochemicals - pharmacology; Phytochemicals - therapeutic use; Quality control; Toxicology; Acanthopanax senticosus; Toxicology; Ethnopharmacological uses; Phytochemicals; Pharmacological activities; Quality control
• ISSN: 0378-8741; 1872-7573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.113586

Acanthopanax senticosus (AS), previously classified as Eleutherococcus senticosus, is one of the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese materia medica. However, there is currently no comprehensive review summarising advances in AS research. AS has been used as a functional food and in various preparations since ancient times, to invigorate the liver and kidneys, replenish vitality, strengthen the bones, stimulate appetite, and improve memory. It is widely used in countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Russia, for specific pharmacologic effects, although it contains various chemical components that ensure its broad-spectrum effect. Its chemical constituents mainly include glycosides and flavonoids. Over the past several decades, researchers worldwide have conducted systematic investigations on this herb. AS has positive pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular, central nervous, and immune systems. Representative pathways stimulated by AS are related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, cancer, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signalling. Importantly, AS is safe and exerts no significant adverse effects at normal doses. To provide comprehensive insights into the ethnobotany, medicinal uses, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, and toxicology of AS to aid its future development and utilisation. Information about AS was collected from various sources, including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine and scientific databases including scientific journals, books, and pharmacopoeia. We discuss the ethnopharmacology of AS from 1965 to 2020 and summarise the knowledge of AS phytochemicals, pharmacological activity, quality control, and toxicology. From the current literature, we conclude that AS is a promising dietary Chinese herb with various potential applications owing to its multiple therapeutic effects. [Display omitted] •A review on Acanthopanax senticosus (AS) was performed.•This review provides comprehensive insights into the toxicology of AS.•The medicinal use, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activity of AS are discussed.•Our findings will help in the further development and utilisation of AS resources.