A review of Acanthopanax senticosus (Rupr and Maxim.) harms: From ethnopharmacological use to modern application
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance Acanthopanax senticosus (AS), previously classified as Eleutherococcus senticosus, is one of the most commonly used herbs in the Chinese materia medica. However, there is currently no comprehensive review summarising advances in AS research. AS has been used as a functional food and in various preparations since ancient times, to invigorate the liver and kidneys, replenish vitality, strengthen the bones, stimulate appetite, and improve memory. It is widely used in countries such as China, Korea, Japan, and Russia, for specific pharmacologic effects, although it contains various chemical components that ensure its broad-spectrum effect. Its chemical constituents mainly include glycosides and flavonoids. Over the past several decades, researchers worldwide have conducted systematic investigations on this herb. AS has positive pharmacological effects on the cardiovascular, central nervous, and immune systems. Representative pathways stimulated by AS are related to neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, cancer, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/protein kinase B signalling. Importantly, AS is safe and exerts no significant adverse effects at normal doses.Aim of the study To provide comprehensive insights into the ethnobotany, medicinal uses, chemical composition, pharmacological activity, and toxicology of AS to aid its future development and utilisation.Materials and methods Information about AS was collected from various sources, including classic books about Chinese herbal medicine and scientific databases including scientific journals, books, and pharmacopoeia. We discuss the ethnopharmacology of AS from 1965 to 2020 and summarise the knowledge of AS phytochemicals, pharmacological activity, quality control, and toxicology.Conclusions From the current literature, we conclude that AS is a promising dietary Chinese herb with various potential applications owing to its multiple therapeutic effects.
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Extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root stimulate the immune system, influence adaptation against external factors, improve mental and physical conditions and memory functions, and have a hypoglycaemic and anti-inflammatory effect.
“Extracts of Eleutherococcus senticosus root are obtained, stimulating the immune system, influencing adaptation against external factors, improving mental and physical conditions and memory functions, and have a hypoglycaemic effect and are anti-inflammatory [13,45,46].”
From Plant Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives (2021) · cites this paper as [45]
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Plant Adaptogens—History and Future Perspectives
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- Authors
- Jia, A., Zhang, Y., Gao, H., Zhang, Z., Zhang, Y., Wang, Z., Zhang, J., Deng, B., Qiu, Z., & Fu, C.
- Affiliations
- Changchun University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (CN)
- Corresponding author
- Qiu, Zhidong
- Fu, Chaomei
- ORCID
- Venue
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2021-03
- Volume
- 268
- Pages
- 113586
- ISSN
- 0378-8741 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3104369805
- Cited by
- 104
- References
- 80
- Citations by year
- 2026: 11 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 23 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 9
- FWCI
- 0.96
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Natural Science Foundation of China (81973712)
- Department of Science and Technology of Jilin Province (20160201001YY)
- Ministry of Education
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Sichuan Key Laboratory of Research and Development
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Medicinal Plants and Bioactive Compounds
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Traditional Chinese Medicine Analysis
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
- Keywords
- Acanthopanax senticosus, Eleutherococcus senticosus, Chinese herbal medicine, ethnobotany, phytochemicals, saponins, flavonoids, pharmacological activity, toxicology, quality control, PI3K/Akt signaling, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, cancer, cardiovascular effects, immune system, adverse effects
- MeSH terms
- Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic, Drugs, Chinese Herbal, Humans, Medicine, Chinese Traditional, Ethnopharmacology, Eleutherococcus, Phytochemicals
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