The traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Stemona species: A review

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Plants of genus Stemona (Stemonaceae) have long been used locally and traditionally in many South and East Asia counties to relieve cough, dispel phlegm, prevent asthma, control pests, diminish inflammation and analgesia, and they also can be used as analgesia or bacteriostasis.

Aim of study: This review provided comprehensive and up-to-date information about botanic characterization and distribution, ethnopharmacology, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activities, and toxicology of plants of genus Stemona to explore the scientific potential and future therapeutic potential of the plants.

Materials and methods: This article conducted a literature review on information about the Stemona species in multiple electronic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Wiley, Science Direct, Elsevier, Google Scholar, ACS publications, SpringerLink, Elsevier, and China National Knowledge Internet. Information was also derived from other literature sources (e.g. Chinese Pharmacopoeia, 2015 edition, Chinese herbal classic books, PhD and MSc thesis, etc).

Results: Our comprehensive analysis of the scientific literatures indicated that many Stemona species are popular and valuable herbal medicines with therapeutic potentials to treat various ailments. Phytochemical analyses identified alkaloids and stilbenoids as the major bioactive substances of Stemona species. Numerous studies have shown that the extracts and secondary metabolites isolated from these plants have a wide range pharmacological activity, including anti-inflammatory, antitussive, antitumour, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, insecticidal and antifeedant, and anti-virus activities.

Conclusion: Though plants of genus Stemona have been put to enormous traditional uses, the pharmacological studies conducted were insufficient. Nowadays, researches were mainly focused on the antitussive, anti-inflammatory as well as insecticidal and antifeedant activities. Therefore, more secondary metabolites need to be studied for more detailed pharmacological studies. Further studies are also required to establish the mechanisms which mediate the plants' bioactivities in relation to the medicinal uses as well as investigate any potential toxicity for future clinical studies.

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