Abstract
The calyxes and fruits of Physalis alkekengi L. var. franchetii (Mast.) Makino (P. alkekengi), a medicinal and edible plant, are frequently used as heat-clearing and detoxifying agents in thousands of Chinese medicine prescriptions. For thousands of years in China, they have been widely used in clinical practice to treat throat disease, hepatitis, and bacillary dysentery. This systematic review summarizes their structural analysis, quality control, pharmacology, and pharmacokinetics. Furthermore, the possible development trends and perspectives for future research studies on this medicinal plant are discussed. Relevant information on the calyxes and fruits of P. alkekengi was collected from electronic databases, Chinese herbal classics, and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Moreover, information was collected from ancient documents in China. The components isolated and identified in P. alkekengi include steroids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, nucleosides, terpenoids, megastigmane, aliphatic derivatives, organic acids, coumarins, and sucrose esters. Steroids, particularly physalins and flavonoids, are the major characteristic and bioactive ingredients in P. alkekengi. According to the literature, physalins are synthesized by the mevalonate and 2-C-methyl-d-erythritol-4-phosphate pathways, and flavonoids are synthesized by the phenylpropanoid pathway. Since the chemical components and pharmacological effects of P. alkekengi are complex and varied, there are different standards for the evaluation of its quality and efficacy. In most cases, the analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with ultraviolet detection. A pharmacological study showed that the crude extracts and isolated compounds from P. alkekengi had extensive in vitro and in vivo biological activities (e.g., anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, anti-leishmanial, anti-asthmatic, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidative, anti-malarial, anti-Alzheimer’s disease, and vasodilatory). Moreover, the relevant anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor mechanisms were elucidated. The reported activities indicate the great pharmacological potential of P. alkekengi. Similarly, studies on the pharmacokinetics of specific compounds will also contribute to the progress of clinical research in this setting.
Highlights
P. alkekengi is a perennial plant (Figure 1a) belonging to the genus Physalis of the family Solanaceae
The results indicated that physalins A and B have strong anti-tumor activity and induced G2/M cell cycle arrest in non-small cell lung cancer and A375-S2 cells
Physalins and flavonoids are closely related to the pharmacological activity of P. alkekengi
Summary
P. alkekengi is a perennial plant (Figure 1a) belonging to the genus Physalis of the family Solanaceae. The use of the calyxes and fruits of this plant was first recorded in the prestigious monograph Shennong Bencao Jing in China [1] It was included as an important traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the Ben Cao Gang Mu and pharmacopoeia [2]. In step 1,5-carbon precursor isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl pyrophosphate are synthesized via cytosolic mevalonate (MEV) and plastid localized 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol4-phosphate (MEP) pathways, respectively; this is the first step toward the synthesis of physalins in plants [11]. The cyclization of physalin B between C-11 and C-15 afforded the intermediate; subsequently, the intermediate was further epoxidized and hydrated to obtain physalin IX
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