Medicinal Plant Research 2024, Vol.14, No.4, 180-195 http://hortherbpublisher.com/index.php/mpr 180 Systematic Review Open Access Ethnobotanical Uses and Phytochemistry of Eucommia ulmoides: A Comprehensive Review Honglin Wang1,2, BidaZhu1, Degang Zhao1,2 1 The Key Laboratory of Plant Resources Conservation and Germplasm Innovation in Mountainous Region (Ministry of Education), College of Life Sciences/Institute of Agro-Bioengineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, Guizhou, China 2 Plant Conservation & Breeding Technology Center, Guizhou Key Laboratory of Agricultural Biotechnology/Guizhou Institute of Pomology Science, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, 550006, Guizhou, China Corresponding author: dgzhao@gzu.edu.cn Medicinal Plant Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.4 doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0016 Received: 08 Jun., 2024 Accepted: 15 Jul., 2024 Published: 28 Jul., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Wang et al., This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Wang H.L., Zhu B.D., and Zhao D.G., 2024, Ethnobotanical uses and phytochemistry of Eucommia ulmoides: a comprehensive review, Medicinal Plant Research, 14(4): 180-195 (doi: 10.5376/mpr.2024.14.0016) Abstract Eucommia ulmoides, a widely used medicinal plant in traditional Chinese medicine, has a history of nearly two thousand years. This study systematically reviews the ethnobotanical uses and phytochemical properties of E. ulmoides, integrating historical knowledge with modern scientific research to explore its pharmacological activities and potential applications in modern medicine. The previous studies have demonstrated that E. ulmoides is rich in various bioactive compounds, including lignans, iridoids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids, which exhibit significant antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive and neuroprotective effects. Additionally, it reveals the potential applications of E. ulmoides extracts in treating cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer. By thoroughly analyzing the traditional uses and phytochemical components of E. ulmoides, this study provides a scientific foundation for its application in modern medicine and identifies future research directions, particularly in the areas of bioactive compound isolation, pharmacological mechanisms, and clinical applications. This study is expected to promote the sustainable use and development of E. ulmoides in both traditional and modern medical systems. Keywords Eucommia ulmoides; Ethnobotany; Phytochemistry; Pharmacological activity; Modern medical applications 1 Introduction Eucommia ulmoides, commonly known as Dù-zhòng in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is the only species within the Eucommia genus, belonging to the family Eucommiaceae. It’s endemic to China and has been highly valued for its medicinal properties for nearly two thousand years (Wang et al., 2019a). Renowned for its various therapeutic properties, Eucommia ulmoides has been extensively used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. The bark, leaves, and seeds of Eucommia ulmoides are commonly used to treat a range of ailments, including hypertension, arthritis, lower back pain, and immune deficiencies (Feng et al., 2020; Xing et al., 2020). The importance of Eucommia ulmoides in Chinese culture is significant, holding a revered position in traditional Chinese medicine and deeply embedded in cultural practices and beliefs related to health and wellness. Its reputation as a potent medicinal plant has been passed down through generations, becoming a crucial symbol of traditional herbal medicine. Additionally, the leaves, bark, and fruits of Eucommia ulmoides produce latex when torn, a unique characteristic historically documented (Wang et al., 2019a). Various parts of Eucommia ulmoides are widely used in traditional therapies in China, Japan, and Korea, underscoring its broad cultural and medicinal relevance (He et al., 2014). The historical use of Eucommia ulmoidesin ethnobotany is well-documented, with records spanning different historical periods. The plant has been a cornerstone in TCM, used to treat a variety of ailments such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, aging, lupus-like syndrome, and for immunoregulation (He et al., 2014; Huang et al., 2021; Sun et al., 2022). Besides, Eucommia ulmoides exhibits various pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, anti-aging, anticancer, and immunomodulatory effects. The pharmacological properties of E. ulmoides have been extensively studied, revealing a wide range of bioactive compounds including
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