Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Stellera chamaejasme

BACKGROUND: Stellera chamaejasme is a perennial weed and is found across a wide geographic range. It is found in the Altai of eastern Russia, northern China and Mongolia southwards and reaches as far as the western Himalayas of the Qinghai-Tibet and Yungui Plateaus. The dried roots of S. Chamaejasme are named "Rui- Xiang-Lang-Du" and this herb with toxic properties is widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for the treatment of various disorders. It is effective against dispelling phlegm by water and displays toxicity against insect pests. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the chemical composition and the pharmacological properties of S. Chamaejasme thus providing a better insight into its application in the prevention of human disease. METHODS: A comprehensive literature review was undertaken and the main chemical compounds found in S. Chamaejasme were identified on the basis of their chemical formula and structure. These included flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, diterpenoids plus others, and their pharmacological properties were also summarized in detail. RESULTS: The main constituents of S. Chamaejasme included flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, diterpenoids plus other compounds. The pharmacological properties of these compounds displayed a wide spectrum and include anti-tumors, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-convulsive, anti-epileptic, insecticide, anti-inflammation, regulation of immunity etc. The diterpenoids were widely recognized as the constituent responsible for the anti-tumor effect. CONCLUSION: A large number of studies conclude that S. Chamaejasme displays a wide spectrum of pharmacological activity with the anti-tumor activity being significant.