Natural drug sources for respiratory diseases from Fritillaria: chemical and biological analyses

Abstract

Fritillaria naturally grows in the temperate region of Northern Hemisphere and mainly distributes in Central Asia, Mediterranean region, and North America. The dried bulbs from a dozen species of this genus have been usually used as herbal medicine, named Beimu in China. Beimu had rich sources of phytochemicals and have extensively applied to respiratory diseases including coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Fritillaria species have alkaloids that act as the main active components that contribute multiple biological activities, including anti-tussive, expectorant, and anti-asthmatic effects, especially against certain respiratory diseases. Other compounds (terpenoids, steroidal saponins, and phenylpropanoids) have also been identified in species of Fritillaria. In this review, readers will discover a brief summary of traditional uses and a comprehensive description of the chemical profiles, biological properties, and analytical techniques used for quality control. In general, the detailed summary reveals 293 specialized metabolites that have been isolated and analyzed in Fritillaria species. This review may provide a scientific basis for the chemical ecology and metabolomics in which compound identification of certain species remains a limiting step.

Transcriptome analysis reveals candidate genes related to steroid alkaloid biosynthesis in Fritillaria anhuiensis

“…CAS belongs to the family of OSCs. According to differences in the backbone after cyclization, members of the OSC family can be categorized into CAS, β‐amyrin synthase, dammarenediol synthase, lupeol synthase, and lanosterol synthase (Hou et al, 2021; Wang, Guo, et al, 2021; Wang, Hou, et al, 2021; Wang, Qiu, et al, 2021). In the F. anhuiensis transcriptome, we identified one unigene (unigene6082) encoding the CAS enzyme.…”

“…TFs have essential roles in plant development, secondary metabolism, and responses to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses (Liu et al, 2017; Sun et al, 2019; Wang, Guo, et al, 2021; Wang, Hou, et al, 2021; Wang, Qiu, et al, 2021). The TFs belonging to the MYB, AP2‐EREBP, bHLH, and WRKY families have been demonstrated to be associated with alkaloid biosynthesis (Yamada & Sato, 2021).…”

“…Steroidal alkaloids are the major active constituents of Fritillaria L., and more than 100 have been isolated from this genus, accounting for approximately 85% of the total alkaloid content of Fritillaria . Peimine and peiminine contents are frequently used as important criteria for evaluating the quality of Fritillaria L. (Peng et al, 2012; Pi et al, 2009; Shen et al, 2011; Wang, Guo, et al, 2021; Wang, Hou, et al, 2021; Wang, Qiu, et al, 2021). Fritillaria anhuiensis S.C.Chen et S.P.Yin ( F. anhuiensis , Fa), called “Wanbeimu” in Chinese, is an important germplasm resource in the Fritillaria genus.…”

Bulbus Fritillariae Cirrhosae as a Respiratory Medicine: Is There a Potential Drug in the Treatment of COVID-19?

“…Besides, some researchers supported that antiviral therapy could fasten viral clearance on asymptomatic infections ( Hu et al, 2020 ; Lu et al, 2021 ). BFC is natural drug sources for respiratory diseases from Fritillaria, and Fritillaria displays antiviral activities such as influenza viruses that cause respiratory diseases ( Wang et al, 2021 ). Therefore, in nucleic acid screening for SARS-CoV-2 positive, diagnosed as asymptomatic infection, it is necessary to intervene by giving BFC for treatment the first time.…”

Drug repurposing against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): A review

“…A clinical trial of 284 patients showed that LH could be considered to improve the clinical symptoms of COVID-19 [ 74 ]. Fritillaria , a herbal medicine with multiple active components such as alkaloids and terpenoids, which have anti-inflammatory, anti-cholinesterase, and antiviral activities and anti-tussive, expectorant, anti-asthmatic effects, has been widely applied to treat respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 [ 75 ]. In addition, Luo et al [ 76 ] found that Qingfei Paidu decoction (QFPDD), used to treat non-infectious bronchitis, can aid recovery from COVID-19 and is beneficial for regulating intestinal function and maintaining the balance of the microenvironment.…”