Abstract
BackgroundIllicium plants are relevant officinal and ornamental species that are native in Eastern Asia, and they are the main sources of shikimic acid. Shikimic acid is an important component of Tamiflu, which is recognized for its ability to resist avian influenza by the World Health Organization. To determine areas where 15 Illicium species can be grown and to understand the importance of species diversity, we should enhance the prediction of suitable areas.MethodsIn this study, the global potential distribution of 15 Illicium species was predicted using a geographic information system for global medicinal plants.ResultsResults showed that the possible suitable areas for these plants in China covered 1357.68 × 104 km2 (56%), and the second-largest area spanning 527.42 × 104 km2 was found in the United States. Illicium verum Hook, an edible species with the highest shikimic acid content among them, grew in areas of 59.92 × 104 (48%), 64.04 × 104 (19%), and 60.53 × 104 km2(18%) in China, the United States, and Brazil, respectively. Illicium.difengpi B. N. Chamg, an endangered species, was distributed in an area of 19.03 × 104 km2 or 95% of the total area in China.ConclusionsThis research provided a guarantee for the demand of Tamiflu, presented strategies that helped protect endangered species, and provided a reference for species cultivation and introduction.
Highlights
Illicium plants are relevant officinal and ornamental species that are native in Eastern Asia, and they are the main sources of shikimic acid
Shikimic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid) is commonly known as the main natural raw material of Tamiflu, which is recognized as the first drug to treat avian influenza in clinical settings [1,2,3]
The main sources of shikimic acid are Illicium plants, which are naturally distributed in Southeast China, the United States, Burma, and Vietnam [4] (Table 1)
Summary
Illicium plants are relevant officinal and ornamental species that are native in Eastern Asia, and they are the main sources of shikimic acid. Shikimic acid is an important component of Tamiflu, which is recognized for its ability to resist avian influenza by the World Health Organization. Shikimic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxy-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylic acid) is commonly known as the main natural raw material of Tamiflu, which is recognized as the first drug to treat avian influenza in clinical settings [1,2,3]. The main sources of shikimic acid are Illicium plants, which are naturally distributed in Southeast China, the United States, Burma, and Vietnam [4] (Table 1). A total of 34 kinds of Illicium plants exist, and 15 of them
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
