title: Phytochemicals and biological activities of poisonous genera of Ericaceae in China.
abstract: The family Ericaceae is comprised of about 70 genera of which about 20 are found throughout China. Of these Ledum, Rhododendron, Enkianthus, Pieris, Craibiodendron, Gaultheria, Vaccinium, and Leucothoe are regarded as poisonous. Many species of these poisonous genera are used as Chinese herbal medicines for the treatment of, for example, inflammation, asthma, and coughs. Modem research has demonstrated that the toxic ingredients of these poisonous genera are chiefly tetracyclic diterpenes, which have adverse effects on the digestive, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Because various species of these poisonous genera also have medicinal functions, extensive studies of these plants have led to the identification of many kinds of compound. This paper compiles 306 compounds from the eight poisonous genera, reported in 141 references.
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Zizhen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Weirui
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Shengli
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Gaimei
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: She
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D029791:Ericaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000737:chemistry*; D013729:Terpenes / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010636:Phenols; D013729:Terpenes