International Journal of Molecular Medical Science, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 315-323 http://medscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmms 317 compounds into more bioactive forms. For instance, catalpol and other iridoids undergo hydrolysis during processing, increasing the levels of monosaccharides such as glucose and galactose, which contribute to the enhanced medicinal quality of the processed herb (Chang et al., 2006). Additionally, processed Rehmannia glutinosa exhibits higher antioxidant activity compared to its raw counterpart, as demonstrated by increased levels of phenolic compounds and enhanced enzymatic activities (Manivannan et al., 2015). The differences in phytochemical profiles between raw and processed Rehmannia glutinosa underscore the importance of traditional processing techniques in maximizing the herb's therapeutic potential. The phytochemistry of Rehmannia glutinosa encompasses a wide range of bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal value (Figure 1). Advanced extraction and identification techniques play a crucial role in isolating and characterizing these compounds. Furthermore, traditional processing methods significantly enhance the herb's efficacy, making Rehmannia glutinosa a vital component of both traditional and contemporary medicine. Figure 1 Structures of the eight isolated compounds from the Rehmannia glutinosaleaves (Adopted from Nguyen et al., 2020) Image caption: This picture provides structural information of eight compounds extracted from Rehmannia glutinosa leaves. These compounds include triterpenoids (such as malic acid, ursolic acid, etc.) and glycosides (such as squalenol, mullein). These compounds may have a variety of biological activities and pharmacological effects and are important components for studying the medicinal value of Rehmannia glutinosa(Adopted from Nguyen et al., 2020) 4 Pharmacological Properties Rehmannia glutinosa, a key herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, exhibits a wide array of pharmacological properties that support its integration into modern therapeutic practices. This section explores the herb’s antiinflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective effects, as well as other pharmacological benefits. 4.1 Anti-inflammatory effects Rehmannia glutinosa has significant anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that the extract from Rehmannia glutinosa inhibits the secretion of inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 (IL-1) from activated macrophages and astrocytes (Sung et al., 2011; Liu et al., 2012). The bioactive component rehmapicrogenin has been identified as a key player in inhibiting NO production and reducing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), further contributing to its anti-inflammatory effects (Liu et al., 2012).
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