Sesquiterpenoids Isolated from the Rhizomes of Genus Atractylodes

Abstract

Atractylodes plants have been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat gastrointestinal diseases and contain various chemical compounds. Sesquiterpenoids are the most important therapeutic compounds in Atractylodes rhizomes. Based on studies reported from 2000 to 2022, we classified sesquiterpenoids by their chemical skeletons and original resources. Moreover, we discussed their biosynthesis and physicochemical and pharmacological features. We reported sesquiterpenoids with skeletal moieties, such as monocyclic sesquiterpenes (bisabolene-and elemene-type), bicyclic sesquiterpenes (eudesmane-, isopterocarpolone-, hydroxycarissone-, eremophilane-, bisesquiterpenoid-, guaiane-and spirovetivane-type and eudesmane lactones) and tricyclic sesquiterpenes (cyperene-and patchoulene-type), with their biosynthetic pathways, chemical modifications and in vivo metabolites. The pharmacological activities of sesquiterpenoids as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial and for treating gastrointestinal disorders have been reported for this genus.

Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Sesquiterpenoids from Atractylodes DC. Genus Rhizomes

“…Zhang et al [44] identified atramacronoids A-C (18)(19)(20) from the rhizomes of A. macrocephala using spectroscopic data analysis, chemical calculations, and X-ray diffraction, which were found to contain an unusual 6/6/5/5/6 skeleton furnished by an unexpected C-8-C-16 linkage. Subsequently, twenty undescribed eudesmane-type sesquiterpenes named atramacronoids D-W (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39)(40) were identified in the rhizomes of A. macrocephala using extensive spectroscopic data analysis, Snatzke's rule, ECD calculations, and X-ray crystallographic analysis [45,46]. A chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of A. lancea resulted in the isolation of nine eudesmanetype sesquiterpenoids (41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47)(48)(49), and their structures were elucidated using spectroscopic techniques and HRESIMS [47].…”

“…Many studies have been conducted on Atractylodes DC. [ 26 , 27 ], yet there are still noticeable deficiencies in the literature. Various potential clinical uses and upcoming research paths have been suggested, offering a comprehensive collection of research discoveries on the sesquiterpenes of Atractylodes DC.…”