[Researc h progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, toxicity,and heavy metal enrichment characteristics of Phytolacca plants].

Abstract

In China, the dry roots of Phytolacca acinosa or P. americana in the Phytolacca plants are listed as the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) Phytolaccae Radix. Phytolacca plants contain triterpenoids, triterpenoid saponins, polysaccharides, antiviral proteins, flavonoids, and other chemical components. The most important compounds are triterpenoids and triterpenoid saponins.Phytolacca plants have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antimalarial, deworming, and other activities. In this paper, the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, toxicity, and heavy metal enrichment characteristics of Phytolacca plants were summarized to provide a theoretical basis for the study of active ingredients and drug development of Phytolacca plants.