AUTHOR=Liu Meihua , Wang Xin , Gao Dejiang 

TITLE=Polygalae Radix: review of metabolites, pharmacological activities and toxicology

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Pharmacology

VOLUME=15

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2024.1420853

DOI=10.3389/fphar.2024.1420853

ISSN=1663-9812

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Polygalae Radix</italic>: is the dried root of <italic>Polygala tenuifolia</italic> Willd. or <italic>Polygala sibirica</italic> L., which has the effect of improving memory and cognitive function in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern pharmacological studies indicated that <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic> has rich pharmacological activities <italic>in vitro</italic> and <italic>in vivo</italic>, including protective effects on the nervous system, immune system, cardiovascular system and respiratory system, as well as antioxidant and antiepileptic pharmacological activities. Up to now, more than 160 metabolites from <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic> were identified, including triterpenoid saponins, xanthones, oligosaccharide esters and et al. The clinical practice of traditional Chinese medicine has proved that <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic> has a certain irritation to the throat, and a large or long-term use will stimulate the digestive tract, and the main toxic metabolite is saponins. Therefore, <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic> should be pr ocessed or used in combination with other Chinese herbal medicines to reduce the irritation to the throat and reduce gastrointestinal irritation. This article provides a review of the metabolites, pharmacological activity, and toxicology of <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic>. It also discusses the future research prospects and existing problems of <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic>, providing reference for further research on <italic>Polygalae Radix</italic>.</p>