Therapeutic potential of Rhizoma Alismatis: a review on ethnomedicinal application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2017 Aug;1401(1):90-101. doi: 10.1111/nyas.13381. Epub 2017 Jun 29.

Abstract

Rhizoma Alismatis (RA), the dried rhizome of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep, is a common traditional herbal medicine named Ze Xie in Chinese. RA is an important herbal component of a number of well-known Chinese medicinal preparations. It has been used to treat various ailments, such as dysuria, edema, nephropathy, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. A wide range of chemical compounds, mainly triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, and diterpenoids, have been isolated from RA; among which the protostane-type triterpenoids, termed alisols, have attracted the most attention owing to their unique chemical structures and various biological activities. The extract and active compounds of RA possess a wide spectrum of pharmacological effects (e.g., diuretic, antimetabolic disorder, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, antiosteoporotic, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antibacterial, and antiviral activities). Previous toxicological evaluations indicated that the RA extracts are relatively safe and have no serious side effects within certain dose ranges. This paper reviews the up-to-date information on the ethnomedicinal application, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of RA. This information will be useful for a better understanding of the therapeutic potential of RA.

Keywords: Rhizoma Alismatis; ethnomedicinal application; pharmacology; phytochemistry; toxicology.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alisma*
  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus / metabolism
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / chemistry*
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / therapeutic use
  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal / toxicity
  • Edema / drug therapy
  • Edema / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Medicine, Traditional / methods*
  • Phytochemicals / chemistry*
  • Phytochemicals / therapeutic use
  • Phytochemicals / toxicity
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Rhizome*

Substances

  • Drugs, Chinese Herbal
  • Phytochemicals