A Review of Polygonatum Mill. Genus: Its Taxonomy, Chemical Constituents, and Pharmacological Effect Due to Processing Changes

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: The genus Polygonatum Tourn, ex Mill. contains numerous chemical components, such as steroidal saponins, polysaccharides, flavonoids, alkaloids, and others, it possesses diverse pharmacological activities, such as anti-aging, anti-tumor, immunological regulation, as well as blood glucose management and fat reducing properties. Aim of the review: This study reviews the current state of research on the systematic categorization, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing changes of the plants belonging to the genus Polygonatum, to provide a theoretical foundation for their scientific development and rational application. Materials and methods: The information was obtained by searching the scientific literature published between 1977 and 2022 on online databases (including PubMed, CNKI, SciFinder, and Web of Science) and other sources (such as the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020 edition, and Chinese herbal books). Results: The genus Polygonatum contains 79 species, and 233 bioactive chemical compounds were identified in them. The abundance of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant activities, anti-fatigue activities, anti-inflammatory activities, etc., were revealed for the representatives of this genus. In addition, there are numerous processing methods, and many chemical constituents and pharmacological activities change after the unappropriated processing. Conclusions: This review summarizes the taxonomy classification, chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and processing of the plants belonging to the genus Polygonatum, providing references and research tendencies for plant-based drug development and further clinical applications.

Historical evolution and processing mechanism of ‘nine steaming and nine drying’ of traditional Chinese medicine preparation

“…2015 ; Luo et al. 2022 ). When Huangjing was processed using the traditional technology of nine steaming and nine drying, 70% ethanol extracts exhibited the relief of glycolipid metabolism abnormalities in type 2 diabetic mice (Wang WX et al.…”

Health-Promoting Activities and Associated Mechanisms of Polygonati Rhizoma Polysaccharides

“…Polygonati Rhizoma polysaccharides, Polygonati Rhizoma water extracts rich in polysaccharides, and herbal medicine formulation containing Polygonati Rhizoma polysaccharides all showed typical antioxidant, anti-aging, anti-fatigue, metabolic regulation, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antiatherosclerotic, hypolipidemic, anti-osteoporosis, and anti-cancer activities through a synergy mechanism [ 72 ].…”

Modulatory effects of fermented Polygonatum cyrtonema Hua on immune homeostasis and gut integrity in a dextran-sulfate-sodium-induced colitis model

“…13,14 Therefore, in order to eliminate the risk of P. cyrtonema Huainduced throat irritation and improve its bioavailability, an ancient Chinese method of nine cycles of steam-sun drying is traditionally applied to process raw P. cyrtonema Hua. 15 However, intensive steaming is an energy-intensive and timeconsuming process. 16 Moreover, intensive steam-sun drying leads to the biotransformation of phytochemical constituents and the release of toxic byproducts of the Maillard reaction, raising a potent health concern.…”