The genus Cynomorium in China: an ethnopharmacological and phytochemical review.
BACKGROUND
Species of the genus Cynomorium (Cynomoriaceae), including C. songaricum Rupr. and C. coccineum L., have a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as impotence, premature ejaculation, kidney-yang deficiency, spermatorrhea, colic, and stomach ulcers. In addition, these species are used in health foods, tea, and cosmetics.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this review is to provide comprehensive information on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological research, and toxicology of C. songaricum and C. coccineum and to explore the therapeutic potential and future research opportunities of these species.


METHODS
All available information on C. songaricum and C. coccineum was collected via electronic search (using PubMed, ACS, CNKI, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and Web of Science).


RESULTS
The ethnomedical uses of C. songaricum and C. coccineum in Saudi Arabia, China, Afghanistan, Mongolia, and Iran for several types of ailments were recorded. A phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, phloroglucinol adducts, saccharides, phenylpropanoids, steroids, organic acids, and other compounds. The crude extracts and pure compounds from C. songaricum and C. coccineum exhibited a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological activity, including anti-fatigue, anti-hypoxia, anti-oxidation, anti-diabetic, immune system modulating, and antiviral activity.


CONCLUSIONS
Cynomorium species have emerged as a source of traditional medicine. Many studies have provided evidence for the therapeutic efficacy of these species in treating various conditions and possible mechanisms. However, further research is required for the development of new drugs and therapies for the treatment of various diseases, especially cancer and diabetes. Therefore, this review on the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and toxicity of Cynomorium species will provide helpful data for further studies and commercial exploitation of the species.
Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning 530023, China.
Zhanhu
Z
Cui
Zhiqin
Z
Guo
Jianhua
J
Miao
Zhenwang
Z
Wang
Qianquan
Q
Li
Xingyun
X
Chai
Minhui
M
Li
D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D031482:Cynomorium / Q000737:chemistry; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D006801:Humans; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal