title: Chelidonium majus--an integrative review: traditional knowledge versus modern findings.
abstract: Chelidonium majus L. (family Papaveraceae), or greater celandine, is an important plant in western phytotherapy and in traditional Chinese medicine. Crude extracts of C. majus as well as purified compounds derived from it exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities (antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumoral, analgesic, hepatoprotective) that support some of the traditional uses of C. majus. However, herbal medicine also claims that this plant has several important properties which have not yet been scientifically studied: C. majus is supposed to have diuretic, antitussive and eye-regenerative effects. On the other hand, C. majus also has scientifically proven effects, e.g. anti-osteoporotic activity and radioprotection, which are not mentioned in traditional sources. Moreover, recent controversy about the hepatoprotective versus hepatotoxic effects of Chelidonium majus has renewed the interest of the medical community in this plant. This review is intended to integrate traditional ethno-medical knowledge and modern scientific findings about C. majus in order to promote understanding of its therapeutic actions as well as its toxic potential.
authors.affiliation: Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Medicine, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania. marilenagilca@gmail.com
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilca
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaman
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Panait
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stoian
authors.forename: Valeriu
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Atanasiu
mesh_terms: D000470:Alkaloids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D028281:Chelidonium / Q000737:chemistry; D002648:Child; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects; D056724:Immunity, Humoral / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D010636:Phenols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000470:Alkaloids; D005419:Flavonoids; D010636:Phenols; D028321:Plant Preparations