Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume: Traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, network pharmacology, and quality control.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ardisia japonica (Thunb.) Blume has been used medicinally in China for nearly a thousand years. Traditionally, it is believed to possess antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic properties. In modern clinical practice, it is widely applied in the treatment of respiratory diseases and liver disorders, demonstrating significant therapeutic efficacy. Currently, 23 proprietary Chinese medicines containing A. japonica have been developed and marketed in China for respiratory disease treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study provides a systematic and comprehensive review of A. japonica in terms of its botany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and quality control. Additionally, network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were employed to predict its active components and potential targets, aiming to offer insights for further research.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Relevant literature was collected through databases such as PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Wiley, ACS, CNKI, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Web of Science, Embase, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar, as well as classical Chinese medical texts, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, and the Flora of China. Network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were utilized to predict the key components and targets of A. japonica.

RESULTS

A total of 296 compounds have been isolated from A. japonica, including triterpenes and glycosides, flavonoids, phenols and phenolic acids, coumarins, quinones, and volatile oils. Pharmacological studies have revealed that A. japonica exhibits various bioactivities, including anti-inflammatory, antitussive, intervention in airway remodeling, protection against liver injury and anti-hepatic fibrosis, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-tumor, PTP1B inhibition and antioxidant effects. Network pharmacology analysis suggested that 2-methyl-5-isopropylphenol and β-eudesmol are highly associated with the treatment of respiratory diseases.

CONCLUSION

With a long history of medicinal use, A. japonica has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating respiratory diseases and liver disorders. As a traditional herbal medicine renowned for its antitussive, expectorant, and antiasthmatic properties, it holds considerable research value and warrants further investigation.