Natural Korean Medicine Dang-Gui: Biosynthesis, Effective Extraction and Formulations of Major Active Pyranocoumarins, Their Molecular Action Mechanism in Cancer, and Other Biological Activities

• Published in: Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2017-12, Vol.22 (12), p.2170
• Main Authors: Reddy, Chinreddy Subramanyam, Kim, Seong Cheol, Hur, Mok, Kim, Yeon Bok, Park, Chun Geon, Lee, Woo Moon, Jang, Jae Ki, Koo, Sung Cheol
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Allergies; Amnesia; Angelica - chemistry; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - biosynthesis; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - isolation & purification; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacokinetics; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic - pharmacology; apoptosis; Benzopyrans - isolation & purification; Benzopyrans - metabolism; Benzopyrans - pharmacokinetics; Benzopyrans - pharmacology; Biocompatibility; Biomedical materials; Biosynthesis; Butyrates - isolation & purification; Butyrates - metabolism; Butyrates - pharmacokinetics; Butyrates - pharmacology; Cancer; Chemical compounds; Chronic illnesses; decursin; Dermatitis; Diabetes mellitus; Disease Models, Animal; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - chemistry; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacokinetics; Drugs, Chinese Herbal - pharmacology; Essential oils; Formulations; Fungi; Ginseng; Herbal medicine; Humans; Ischemia; Korean dang-gui; Liquid-Liquid Extraction - methods; Medical treatment; Medicine, Korean Traditional; Mental depression; natural medicine; Neoplasms - drug therapy; Neoplasms - genetics; Neoplasms - metabolism; Neoplasms - pathology; Osteoporosis; Pharmacology; Phytotherapy - methods; Plant Extracts - chemistry; Plant Roots - chemistry; Plants, Medicinal; Polyacetylene; Pyranocoumarins - isolation & purification; Pyranocoumarins - metabolism; Pyranocoumarins - pharmacokinetics; Pyranocoumarins - pharmacology; Reactive oxygen species; Review; Rodentia
• ISSN: 1420-3049; 1420-3049
• DOI: 10.3390/molecules22122170

Nakai (AGN) is a crucial oriental medicinal herb that grows especially in Korea and the Far-East countries. It contains chemically active compounds like pyranocoumarins, polyacetylenes and essential oils, which might be useful for treatment of several chronic diseases. It has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in Southeast Asia, but in Western countries is used as a functional food and a major ingredient of several herbal products. The genus is also known as 'female ginseng' due to its critical therapeutic role in female afflictions, such as gynecological problems. However, it is well-documented that the AGN pyranocoumarins may play vital beneficial roles against cancer, neurodisorders, inflammation, osteoporosis, amnesia, allergies, depression, fungi, diabetes, ischemia, dermatitis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and androgen. Though numerous studies revealed the role of AGN pyranocoumarins as therapeutic agents, none of the reviews have published their molecular mechanism of action. To the best of our knowledge, this would be the first review that aims to appraise the biosynthesis of AGN's major active pyranocoumarins, discuss effective extraction and formulation methods, and detail the molecular action mechanism of decursin (D), decursinol angelate (DA) and decursinol (DOH) in chronic diseases, which would further help extension of research in this area.