1
|
Liu Y, Zhao X, Yao R, Li C, Zhang Z, Xu Y, Wei JH. Dragon's Blood from Dracaena Worldwide: Species, Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology. Am J Chin Med 2021; 49:1315-1367. [PMID: 34247562 DOI: 10.1142/s0192415x21500634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Dragon's blood (DB) refers mainly to the crimson resin of many Dracaena spp. DB has been used by different traditional medicine systems worldwide, including Arabic medicine, African medicine, traditional Chinese medicine, Thai medicine, etc. DB are mainly used to heal wounds, kill pain, stop bleeding, and cure various diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery and ulcers for over 1000 years. 11 Dracaena spp. and 3 subspecies are reported to be able to produce red resin. However, the resources are extremely deficient. Several Dracaena spp. are in threatened status. Over 300 compounds have been isolated from Dracaena spp., mainly including flavonoids, steroids, and phenolics. DB exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antithrombotic, anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, which explain its wound healing effects, preventive effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, dual-directional regulation of blood flow, neuroprotection and radioprotective effects. No apparent side effects or toxicity have been reported. DB are restricted from being exploited due to limited resources and unclear resin formation mechanism. It is necessary to expand the cultivation of Dracaena spp. and fully understand the mechanism underlying the resin formation process to develop an effective induction method for the sustainable utilization of DB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources, Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering, Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Xiangsheng Zhao
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine & Key Laboratory of State, Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Agarwood, Sustainable Utilization, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Haikou 570311, P. R. China
| | - Ruyu Yao
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources, Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering, Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Chuangjun Li
- Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, P. R. China
| | - Zhonglian Zhang
- Yunnan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Jinghong 666100, P. R. China
| | - Yanhong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources, Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering, Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, P. R. China
| | - Jian-He Wei
- Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources, Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education & National Engineering, Laboratory for Breeding of Endangered Medicinal Materials, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100193, P. R. China.,Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Conservation and Development of Southern Medicine & Key Laboratory of State, Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Agarwood, Sustainable Utilization, Hainan Branch of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Haikou 570311, P. R. China
| |
Collapse
|