Ligustri Lucidi Fructusas a traditional Chinese medicine: a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology

Abstract

Ligustri lucidi fructus (LLF) is the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae). This review based on nearly 80 literary sources discusses the knowledge of chemistry and biological effects of this species. Several types of chemical constituents considered as the characteristic and active constituents from LLF were isolated including 40 triterpenoids, 48 iridoids, 10 flavones, 10 phenylethanoid glycosides and others. Various extracts and individual compounds derived from this species have been found to possess a variety of pharmacological effects, e.g. anti-tumour, hepatoprotective, immune regulating, antioxidative and anti-ageing effects, anti-inflammation and reducing hypercholesterolaemia effects and so on. The results of data analysis on the chemical, pharmacological characteristics of LLF support the view that this species has many therapeutic properties and indicate its potential as an effective herbal remedy. Finally, some suggestions for further research on chemical and pharmacological properties are given in this review. Theoretical basis was given for further exploiting and utilising LLF.

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi in Osteoporosis: A Review of its Pharmacology, Phytochemistry, Pharmacokinetics and Safety

“…Numerous molecular constituents of FLL have been isolated from the plant during the past decades. Currently, more than 100 compounds, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenylethanoid glycosides, phospholipids, polysaccharides, volatile components, amino acids, and others [ 27 ], have been identified from this plant according to the Chinese Academy of Sciences Chemistry ( ) and Chinese Herbal Drug Databases. The main ingredients of this herb are shown in Figure 2 So far, it has been demonstrated that triterpenoids and phenylethanoid glycosides are two major types of constituents present in high content and responsible for the main pharmacological actions for FLL [ 28 ].…”

“…In addition, OA is the most abundant potent triterpenoid in FLL with a content ranging from 7.37 to 13.3 mg/g [ 40 ]. However, this content of OA may vary depending on the different parts of fruits, regions, harvest seasons, and processing methods [ 27 , 28 , 40 , 41 ].…”

“…The iridoids in FLL mainly include specnuezhenide, nuezhenide, ligustroflavone, neuzhengalaside, nuezhenoside G13, oleuropein, oleuropeinic acid, oleoside dimethyl ester and other compounds [ 27 , 28 , 30 ]. These compounds have been demonstrated to possess anti-oxidant effects [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Identification of prototypes from Ligustri Lucidi Fructus in rat plasma based on a data‐dependent acquisition and multicomponent pharmacokinetic study

“…Several pharmacological studies have shown that LLF possesses multiple activities, such as being hepatoprotective (Pang et al, 2015) and immune‐regulative (Wang, Shan, Liu, Zhang, & Zhang, 2012). It reduces hypercholesterolemia (Gao et al, 2015) and has anti‐inflammatory (Jin, Jin, Xiao, & Wu, 2011), antioxidant (Jeong, Tulasi, & Koyyalamudi, 2016) and antitumor (Zhang, He, & Dong, 2011) effects. Furthermore, pharmacological studies have demonstrated that phenyl‐ethanols, iridoids, triterpenoids and flavonoids are the primary active ingredients (He et al, 2018; Li et al, 2017; Pang et al, 2018; Zhang et al, 2013; Zhong et al, 2017).…”

Liver-protecting effects of extracts from Glossy privet fruit and Ecliptae herba formula in mice through suppression of Kupffer cells activation

“…Er Zhi Wan, a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, has been developed as a nourishing formula for hundreds of years, which contains two herbs by weight ratio (1:1), Glossy privet fruit and Ecliptae herba (Yao et al, 2014). Glossy privet fruit is a common edible plant in Asian countries such as China and Japan (Gao et al, 2015). Ecliptae herba, is widespread throughout China and India, and considered as a nutritious herbal medicine (Xi et al, 2014).…”