The Distribution, Uses, and Characteristic Components of Gentianaceae Plants in China

Extracts of Gentianaceae herbs have been widely used as food additives, teas, or medicinal remedies for various human diseases and disorders. Iridoids, secoiridoids, and analogs glycosides, mainly include gentiopicroside, sweroside, swertiamarin, and loganic acid, are the characteristic compounds found in the Gentianaceae plants. The uses of the medicinal herbs containing these secoiridoids have been described in Chinese Materia Medica. Herbal extracts containing iridoids, secoiridoids, and analogs could exert protective effects in multiple human tissues and cells. Some of these medicinal herbs have been studied using modern pharmacological means. The results indicate that they have analgesic, liver protective, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anti-pathogeny, and anti-bacterial functions. This review was aimed to summarize the use of Gentianaceae herbs for disease treatments and pharmacokinetic characteristics of the active compounds. In so doing, we hope to demonstrate that Gentianaceae herbs and bioactive compounds in them may have abilities to affect inflammation, hepatic metabolism and cell signaling. In addition, we would like to bring this to the attention of the field about the use and study of compounds derived from Gentianaceae herbs.