Ethnopharmacological relevance: The plants of genus Liparis comprise approximately 428 species worldwide among these species 52 are widely distributed in China. These plants have long been used in China for the treatment of wound bleeding, detoxifying and inflammatory diseases, such as metrorrhagia, hemoptysis, traumatic hemorrhage, snakebite, and pneumonia.
Aim of this review: We intend to summarize traditional uses of Liparis spp. in China and the phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of all Liparis spp. throughout the world to provide a comprehensive knowledge base and to facilitate the development and utilization of this genus.
Materials and methods: The scientific literature was systematically collected from scientific databases (e.g., PubMed, SciFinder, ChemicalBook, ChemSpider, Scopus, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Google Scholar, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure platform). Additionally, the ethnopharmacological information regarding this genus was acquired from such sources as Chinese herbal classic books, library catalogs, and Ph.D. and M.Sc. theses.
Results: Many Liparis spp. in China have therapeutic effects on metrorrhagias, traumatic hemorrhage, snakebite, and pneumonia. Phytochemical studies showed that nervogenic acid derivatives were the major chemical constituents of Liparis spp. Pharmacological research indicated that the constituents and extracts of Liparis plants exhibited significant hemostasis, procoagulant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities.
Conclusions: This review of the traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, mechanism of action, structure-activity relationships, and toxicology of Liparis spp. provides valuable information for the development of new plant-derived drugs and Chinese medicine preparations from the genus Liparis.
Keywords: Chemical constituents; Ethnopharmacology; Liparis; Pharmacological effects; Toxicology.
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