An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review of the Genus Meconopsis.
The Meconopsis plants (Chinese: ), belonging to the family Papaveraceae, have been used as traditional Tibetan medicine (TTM) for thousands of years. Meconopsis has the effects of clearing heat, reducing swelling, and easing pain, and is mainly prescribed for heat syndromes, hepatitis, pneumonia, and pain in joints. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of major isoquinoline alkaloids and flavonoids. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated its antitumor, hepatoprotective, analgestic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antitussive, and anti-inflammatory activities. However, resource availability, in-depth in vivo pharmacological study and qualitative and quantitative analysis are still insufficient and deserve further efforts. This paper provides a comprehensive advance on the ethnopharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacological studies of the genus, in hopes of promoting a better understanding of their medicinal values.
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.|† School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Qiang
Q
Guo
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.|† School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Ruifeng
R
Bai
‡ Center of Scientific Experiment, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Baosheng
B
Zhao
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.|† School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Xiao
X
Feng
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Yunfang
Y
Zhao
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Pengfei
P
Tu
* Modern Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, P.R. China.
Xingyun
X
Chai
D000470:Alkaloids / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000700:Analgesics; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007546:Isoquinolines / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D038861:Medicine, Tibetan Traditional; D028101:Papaveraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D051381:Rats; D013729:Terpenes / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000470:Alkaloids; D000700:Analgesics; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D000996:Antitussive Agents; D005419:Flavonoids; D007546:Isoquinolines; D013729:Terpenes
Meconopsis; Papaveraceae; Review; Traditional Tibetan Medicine