title: Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai: chemistry, traditional use and pharmacology.
abstract: Oplopanax elatus (Nakai) Nakai, a member of the ancient angiosperm plant family Araliaceae, is used for the treatment of different disorders in the medicine systems of China, Russia, and Korea, and was designated in Russia as a classical adaptogen. Despite extensive studies of classical adaptogens, there are comparatively few reports concerning the chemical composition and pharmacological effects of O. elatus in English. The plant is a potential source of saponins, flavonoids, anthraquinones, terpenes, and other active compounds. Experimental studies and clinical applications have indicated that O. elatus possesses a number of pharmacological activities, including adaptogenic, anti-convulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, blood pressure modulating, and reproductive function effects. In this review, the chemistry, safety, and therapeutic potential of O. elatus are summarized and highlighted to encourage the further development of this plant.
authors.affiliation: Saint-Petersburg Institute of Pharmacy, 188663, Kuzmolovo P 245, Russia. Electronic address: spb.pharmacy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alexander N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Shikov
authors.affiliation: Saint-Petersburg Institute of Pharmacy, 188663, Kuzmolovo P 245, Russia.
authors.forename: Olga N
authors.initials: ON
authors.lastname: Pozharitskaya
authors.affiliation: Saint-Petersburg Institute of Pharmacy, 188663, Kuzmolovo P 245, Russia.
authors.forename: Valery G
authors.initials: VG
authors.lastname: Makarov
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Research Center for TCM Modernization, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: Wen-Zhi
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Shanghai Research Center for TCM Modernization, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201203, China.
authors.forename: De-An
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Guo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D028002:Oplopanax / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Adaptogen; Asthenia; Chemistry; Diabetes; Oplopanax elatus; Physical and mental fatigue; Safety