title: Ligustri lucidi fructus as a traditional Chinese medicine: a review of its phytochemistry and pharmacology.
abstract: Ligustri lucidi fructus (LLF) is the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum Ait. (Oleaceae). This review based on nearly 80 literary sources discusses the knowledge of chemistry and biological effects of this species. Several types of chemical constituents considered as the characteristic and active constituents from LLF were isolated including 40 triterpenoids, 48 iridoids, 10 flavones, 10 phenylethanoid glycosides and others. Various extracts and individual compounds derived from this species have been found to possess a variety of pharmacological effects, e.g. anti-tumour, hepatoprotective, immune regulating, antioxidative and anti-ageing effects, anti-inflammation and reducing hypercholesterolaemia effects and so on. The results of data analysis on the chemical, pharmacological characteristics of LLF support the view that this species has many therapeutic properties and indicate its potential as an effective herbal remedy. Finally, some suggestions for further research on chemical and pharmacological properties are given in this review. Theoretical basis was given for further exploiting and utilising LLF.
authors.affiliation: a Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences , Beijing 100700 , P.R. China.
authors.forename: Liangliang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Chun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhimin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiaoqian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047309:Flavones / Q000737:chemistry; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D006027:Glycosides / Q000737:chemistry; D039823:Iridoids / Q000737:chemistry; D031659:Ligustrum / Q000737:chemistry*; D015394:Molecular Structure; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis; D014315:Triterpenes / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D047309:Flavones; D006027:Glycosides; D039823:Iridoids; D064209:Phytochemicals; D014315:Triterpenes
keywords: Ligustri Lucidi Fructus; biological effects; phytochemistry