Hovenia dulcis--an Asian traditional herb.
Hovenia dulcis Thunb., known as Japanese raisin tree, is commonly found in East Asia. It has a long history as a food supplement and traditional medicine in Japan, China and Korea, but is little known and used in Western countries so far. This minireview summarizes traditional uses and current knowledge on the pharmacology and phytochemistry of H. duclcis and covers, in particular, literature from specialized Asian journals that are not readily accessible. Extracts from H. dulcis accelerate detoxification of ethanol, and possess hepatoprotective, antioxidative, antimicrobial and antidiabetic properties. Although the underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood, free radical scavenging and enhancement of ethanol catabolism have been reported.
Hyun
Tae Kyung
TK
Institute for Plant Sciences, Karl Franzens-University of Graz, Austria.
Eom
Seung Hee
SH
Yu
Chang Yeon
CY
Roitsch
Thomas
T
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000431:Ethanol / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008518:Medicine, East Asian Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027823:Rhamnaceae
D000975:Antioxidants; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000431:Ethanol