title: A review on phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Litsea coreana.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Litsea coreana H. Lév. (Lauraceae) is used as an ethnic herb or beverage in China. Substantial studies indicate that it contains a variety of compounds and shows diverse bioactivities with no toxicity.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This review analyzes and summarizes the ethnopharmacological applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities and molecular mechanisms of L. coreana.
  
  
  METHODS
  Related literature (from 1998 to 2016) was obtained and compiled via searching databases including Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI and PubMed. Keywords (Litsea coreana, hawk tea, eagle tea and laoying cha) were used to select the articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Studies indicate that L. coreana contains characteristic polysaccharides, polyphenols, essential oils, and numerious flavonoids, which exhibit remarkable bioactivities, such as hepatoprotection, hyperglycaemia, anti-inflammation, antioxidation and antibacterial, through multiple molecular mechanisms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This paper provides a systematic review on the phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of L. coreana which should be useful for further study and application of this medicinal herb.
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Xuejing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Peng
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Jianbo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.affiliation: a State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine, Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences, University of Macau , Macao , China.
authors.forename: Chengwei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: He
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D032862:Litsea / Q000737:chemistry*; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000032:analysis; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000633:toxicity; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Litsea coreana; biological activity; phytochemistry