Title:Exploring the Complex Phytochemical and Pharmacological Value of Swertia punicea Hemsl
VOLUME: 4 ISSUE: 4
Author(s):Salman Zafar and Wei Wang*
Affiliation:TCM and Ethnomedicine Innovation & Development Laboratory, Sino-Pakistan TCM and Ethnomedicine Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208, TCM and Ethnomedicine Innovation & Development Laboratory, Sino-Pakistan TCM and Ethnomedicine Research Center, School of Pharmacy, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, 410208
Keywords:Swertia punicea, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tujia Ethnomedicine, Xanthones, Iridoids,
Chemical constituents.
Abstract:Background & Methodology: Swertia punicea (Shuihuanglian), a Tujia Ethnomedicine
component is a complementary part of the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It
has been employed by the TCM practitioners as part of the formulations for treatment of a
variety of health disorders. Keeping in view the high medicinal value of the plant, the natural
product chemists have ventured to study its chemical nature and isolate some of the fascinating
molecules, which account for its pharmacological activities.
Results: So far about 78 compounds have been reported from the plant. Xanthones and iridoids
are the major constituents of S. punicea along with some sterols, terpenes and other
molecules. Some of these compounds have exhibited significant biological potential.
Conclusion: This article emphasizes on the importance of S. punicea in TCM and the bioactivities
of the compounds isolated till date.
