Platycodon grandiflorus – An Ethnopharmacological, phytochemical and pharmacological review

doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.01.052

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Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Platycodon grandiflorus (Jacq.) A. DC., the sole species in genus Platycodon A. DC. (Campanulaceae) has a long history of use as a traditional herbal medicine for the treatments of cough, phlegm, sore throat, lung abscess, chest pain, dysuria, and dysentery. As a legal medicine and dietary supplement, it is also frequently used as an ingredient in health foods and vegetable dishes. The aim of this review is to provide up-to-date information on the botanical characterization and distribution, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of Platycodon grandiflorus based on literature published in recent years. It will build a foundation for further study of the mechanism of action and the development of better therapeutic agents and healthy products from Platycodon grandiflorus.

Material and methods

All of the available information on Platycodon grandiflorus was collected via electronic search (using PubMed, SciFinder Scholar, CNKI, TPL (www.theplantlist.org), Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, and Web of Science).

Results

A comprehensive analysis of the literature obtained through the above-mentioned sources confirmed that ethno-medical uses of Platycodon grandiflorus have been recorded in China, Japan, Mongolia, and Korea for thousands of years. A phytochemical investigation revealed that this product contains steroidal saponins, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, sterols, phenolics, and other bioactive compounds. Crude extracts and pure compounds isolated from Platycodon grandiflorus exhibited significant anti-inflammatory and immunostimulatory effects. They also showed valuable bioactive effects, such as anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, hepatoprotective and cardiovascular system effects, among others.

Conclusions

In light of its long traditional use and the modern phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized here, Platycodon grandiflorus has been demonstrated to show a strong potential for therapeutic and health-maintaining uses. Both the extracts and chemical components isolated from the plant showed a wide range of biological activities. Thus, more studies on the pharmacological mechanisms of its main active compounds (e.g., platycodin D, D₂) need to be conducted. In addition, as one of the most popular traditional herbal medicines, clinical studies of the main therapeutic aspects, toxicity and adverse effects of Platycodon grandiflorus will also undoubtedly be the focus of future investigation.

Graphical abstract

Chemical compounds studied in this article

(2R, 3R) taxifolin (Pubchem CID: 439533);
quercetin-7-O-glucoside (Pubchem CID: 5282160);
luteolin-7-O-glucoside (Pubchem CID: 5280637);
apigenin-7-O-glucoside (Pubchem CID: 5280704);
luteolin (Pubchem CID: 5280445);
apigenin (Pubchem CID: 5280443);
palmitic acid (Pubchem CID: 985);
oleic acid (Pubchem CID: 445639);
caffeic acid (Pubchem CID: 689043);
ferulic acid (Pubchem CID: 445858);
isoferulic acid (Pubchem CID: 736186);
m-coumaric acid (Pubchem CID: 71310991);
p-coumaric acid (Pubchem CID: 637542);
p-hydroxybenzoic acid (Pubchem CID: 176323540);
α-resorcylic acid (Pubchem CID: 7424);
2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (Pubchem CID: 19);
homovanillic acid (Pubchem CID: 1738);
chlorogenic acid (Pubchem CID: 1794427);
lobetyol (Pubchem CID: 372975);
lobetyolin (Pubchem CID: 6369123);
lobetyolinin (Pubchem CID: 5459227);
spinasterol (Pubchem CID: 5281331);
betulin (Pubchem CID: 72326);
β-sitosterol (Pubchem CID: 222284);
δ-7-stigmastenone-3 (Pubchem CID: 5748344);
platycodin D (Pubchem CID: 162859);
platycodin D₂ (Pubchem CID: 53317652);
platycodin C (Pubchem CID: 46173919);
and platycodin A (Pubchem CID: 46173910)

Keywords

Platycodon grandiflorus;
Ethnopharmacology;
Phytochemistry;
Pharmacology

Abbreviations

A549, adenocarcinoma cells;
AP-1, activator protein 1;
APAP, acetaminophen;
BHT, butylated hydroxytoluene;
BHA, butyl hydroxy anisd;
CK, the aqueous extract from the root of Platycodon grandiflorus (Changkil);
CKS, the saponins from the root of Platycodon grandiflorus (Changkil saponins);
COX-2, cyclooxygenase-2;
CYP2E1, cytochrome P450 2E1;
DPPH, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl;
FABP-4, fatty acid binding protein-4;
HD50, 50% of the maximum hemolysis;
HDL, high-density lipoprotein;
hTERT, human telomerase reverse transcriptase;
iNOS, inducible NO synthase;
ISI, insulin sensitivity index;
KLF-2, kruppel-like factor 2;
LDL, low density lipoprotein;
LPS, lipopolysaccharide;
MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinase;
MCP-1, monocyte chemotactic protein 1;
MMP, matrix metalloproteinases;
NS, serum insulin levels;
OVA, ovalbumin;
IP, peritoneal injection;
PG, polysaccharides isolated from the radix of Platycodon grandiflorus;
PGS, Platycodon grandiflorus saponin;
PGSC, Platycodon grandiflorus saponin C;
PGSD, Platycodon grandiflorus saponin D;
PKC, protein kinase C;
PGE, Platycodon grandiflorus alcohol extract;
PPAR, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor;
ROS, reactive oxygen species;
t-BHP, tert-butyl hydroperoxide;
TC, total cholesterol;
Th, T helper cells;
Th1, T helper cell type1;
Th2, T helper cells type2;
TG, triglyceride;
TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α

: Corresponding author at: Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning 530023, China. Tel.: +86 4727 1677 95.

: Corresponding author. Tel.: +86 10 5783 3035.

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Friday 29 May 2015