Review
Emodin: A Review of its Pharmacology, Toxicity and Pharmacokinetics
Xiaoxv Dong,
Jing Fu,
Xingbin Yin,
Sali Cao,
Xuechun Li,
Longfei Lin,
Huyiligeqi,
Jian Ni,
Xiaoxv Dong
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this authorJing Fu
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this authorXingbin Yin
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorSali Cao
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorXuechun Li
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorLongfei Lin
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorHuyiligeqi
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, 028000 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jian Ni
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Correspondence to: Jian Ni, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, PR China.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this author
Xiaoxv Dong,
Jing Fu,
Xingbin Yin,
Sali Cao,
Xuechun Li,
Longfei Lin,
Huyiligeqi,
Jian Ni,
Xiaoxv Dong
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this authorJing Fu
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
These authors contributed equally to this work.Search for more papers by this authorXingbin Yin
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorSali Cao
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorXuechun Li
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorLongfei Lin
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorHuyiligeqi
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia University for Nationalities, Tongliao, 028000 PR China
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Jian Ni
School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100102 PR China
Correspondence to: Jian Ni, School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100102, PR China.
E-mail: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Emodin is a natural anthraquinone derivative that occurs in many widely used Chinese medicinal herbs, such as Rheum palmatum, Polygonum cuspidatum and Polygonum multiflorum. Emodin has been used as a traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years and is still present in various herbal preparations. Emerging evidence indicates that emodin possesses a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, hepatoprotective, antiinflammatory, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. However, emodin could also lead to hepatotoxicity, kidney toxicity and reproductive toxicity, particularly in high doses and with long-term use. Pharmacokinetic studies have demonstrated that emodin has poor oral bioavailability in rats because of its extensive glucuronidation. This review aims to comprehensively summarize the pharmacology, toxicity and pharmacokinetics of emodin reported to date with an emphasis on its biological properties and mechanisms of action. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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