Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. (Chloranthaceae): A review of metabolite structural diversity and pharmacology

Chloranthus japonicus Sieb. (the family Chloranthaceae) is a medicinal Asian plant with interesting phytochemicals. The current study aims to comprehensively provide an in-depth review of phytochemistry, and the role of C. japonicus secondary metabolites in pharmacology. Using chromatographic columns, 207 compounds have been isolated and structurally elucidated with a diversity of sesquiterpenoids. Several compounds, such as chlojaponilide M, cycloshizukaol A, chlojapolactone A, hitorins A-H, japonicones A-C, and trishizukaol A were characteristic metabolites of C. japonicus. It also brings benefits in the use of C. japonicus constituents for drug development, in which they possess various biological values, such as anticancer, anti-microbial, anti-virus, anti-inflammation, anti-obesity, and metabolic activities. Some isolated agents themselves have potential since they are better than the positive controls. The NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B) is one of the underlying molecular mechanisms for pharmacological exploration. Collectively, extensive in vitro and in vivo biomedical studies on C. japonicus constituents, especially lindenane-type sesquiterpenoids, are necessary.