Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Carthamus tinctorius L

Am J Chin Med. 2016;44(2):197-226. doi: 10.1142/S0192415X16500130.

Abstract

Carthamus tinctorius L. is a multifunctional cash crop. Its flowers and seeds are extensively used in traditional herbal medicine in China, Korea, Japan, and other Asian countries, for treating various ailments such as gynecological, cardiovascular, and cerebrovascular diseases as well as blood stasis and osteoporosis. More than 100 compounds have been isolated and identified from C. tinctorius. Flavonoids and alkaloids, especially the quinochalcone c-glycoside hydroxysafflor yellow A, N-(p-Coumaroyl)serotonin, and N-feruloylserotonin, are responsible for most of the pharmacological activities of C. tinctorius. In this paper, comprehensive and up-to-date information on the phytochemistry and pharmacology of C. tinctorius is presented. This information will be helpful for further explorations of the therapeutic potential of C. tinctorius and may provide future research opportunities.

Keywords: Cardiovascular Protection; Carthamus tinctorius L.; Cerebrovascular Protection; Flavonoid, Hydroxysafflor Yellow A; Review.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alkaloids / chemistry
  • Alkaloids / isolation & purification*
  • Alkaloids / pharmacology*
  • Alkaloids / therapeutic use
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic*
  • Antioxidants
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents*
  • Cardiovascular Agents*
  • Carthamus tinctorius / chemistry*
  • Chalcone / analogs & derivatives
  • Chalcone / chemistry
  • Chalcone / isolation & purification
  • Chalcone / pharmacology
  • Chalcone / therapeutic use
  • Flavonoids / chemistry
  • Flavonoids / isolation & purification*
  • Flavonoids / pharmacology*
  • Flavonoids / therapeutic use
  • Flowers / chemistry
  • Humans
  • Phytotherapy
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Quinones / chemistry
  • Quinones / isolation & purification
  • Quinones / pharmacology
  • Quinones / therapeutic use
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Serotonin / analogs & derivatives
  • Serotonin / chemistry
  • Serotonin / isolation & purification
  • Serotonin / pharmacology
  • Serotonin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Alkaloids
  • Anti-Infective Agents
  • Anticoagulants
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic
  • Antioxidants
  • Bone Density Conservation Agents
  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Flavonoids
  • Plant Extracts
  • Quinones
  • hydroxysafflor yellow A
  • N-feruloylserotonin
  • Serotonin
  • Chalcone
  • N-(p-coumaroyl)serotonin