Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.: A comprehensive review on phytochemical, pharmacological and tissue-specific
Chang-Sheng Gao1, Pei-Lin Su1, Mei-Ya Lian1
1Key Laboratory of Computational Chemistry-Based Natural Antitumor Drug Research & Development, Engineering Research Center of Natural Medicine Active Molecule Research & Development, Key Laboratory of Natural Bioactive Compounds Discovery & Modification, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, 110016, China.
Abstract:
Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae family) is a well-recognized medicinal plant valued for its structurally diverse and pharmacologically active specialized metabolites, particularly dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids and macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids. These compounds exhibit a broad range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects, with promising potential in the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions. This review provides a systematic overview of the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of T. wilfordii, with a particular emphasis on the tissue-specific distribution of dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids and macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids across various plant parts and among related genera within the Celastraceae family. These compounds not only demonstrate notable bioactivity but also serve as distinctive chemotaxonomic markers. The findings underscore that compound-enriched tissues may provide novel insights for in-depth phytochemical exploration and the development of potential therapeutics.
Related Concept Videos
Tissue-Drug Binding: Localization of Drugs and its Significance
Drugs can bind to different tissue components, enhancing their distribution and localization. The factors influencing drug localization in tissues include the drug's lipophilicity, structural characteristics, tissue perfusion rate, and pH differences. These factors determine...
Drug Distribution: Tissue Binding
For...
Therapeutic Index
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Stability Enhancement and GI Retention


