[Advances in natural products of Fritillaria plants]

The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) known as Beimu, including Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, Fritillariae Thunbergii Bulbus, Fritillariae Hupehensis Bulbus, Fritillariae Ussuriensis Bulbus, and Fritillariae Pallidiflorae Bulbus, possesses significant medicinal value with a long history of use, has a substantial market demand, and serves as a crucial subject of research. According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), the dried bulbs of eleven Fritillaria species are the sources of Beimu. The characteristic and active ingredients steroidal alkaloids in Fritillaria species are among the natural products to be investigated earliest globally. These compounds play a pivotal role in the development of natural products and demonstrate a diverse range of pharmacological effects. This review delves into the natural products found in Fritillaria species and their pharmacological properties. Based on literature and the research achievements of the authors' research group, this paper comprehensively summarizes, for the first time, the structural types, physicochemical properties, and spectral characteristics of steroidal alkaloids in Fritillaria species. In-depth analyses reveal that Fritillaria species contain a rich diversity of steroidal alkaloids with varied structural types, and these active ingredients hold promising potential for research on antitussive, anti-pneumonia, and acute lung injury treatment. Additionally, developing effective quality control methods based on steroidal alkaloids is crucial for the development of TCM Beimu and the standardized management of its related cultivated species.