Rhein (4, 5-dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid) is a lipophilic anthraquinone extensively found in medicinal herbs, such as Rheum palmatum L., Cassia tora L., Polygonum multiflorum Thunb., and Aloe barbadensis Miller, which have been used medicinally in China for more than 1,000 years. Its biological activities related to human health are being explored actively. Emerging evidence suggest...

Annona squamosa is a medicinal plant which has been used in alternative medicine from ancient times. Different parts of Annona squamosa such as fruits, seeds, leaves and barks have been used to treat many diseases. Some of the active constituents have been identified and investigated for biological actions while the rest are yet to be explored. Current understanding of pharmacological propertie...

Cassytha filiformis L. (Lauraceae), a medicinal plant is traditionally used for the treatment of cancer, African trypanosomiasis and many other related diseases. This plant has a wider distribution throughout India and used medicinally in China, Indochina, Madagascar and South Africa. Thus, Cassytha filiformis is medicinally used as an antiplatelet, vasorelaxant, alphaadrenoreceptor antagonist ...

Homoisoflavonoids, a special subclass of flavonoids, are rarely found in nature, mainly existing in Fabaceae and Asparagaceae families and being less common in Polygonaceae, Portulacaceae, Orchidaceae, and Gentianaceae families. Until now, approximately 240 natural occurring homoisoflavonoids have been identified from roots, barks, heartwood, bulbs, leaves, and seeds of the plants from the abov...

Liriopogons (Liriope and Opiopogon) species are used as a main medicinal ingredient in several Asian countries. The Liriopes Radix (tuber, root of Liriope platyphylla) has to be a promising candidate due to their source of phytochemicals. Steroidal saponins and their glycosides, phenolic compounds, secondary metabolites are considered of active constituents in Liriopes Radix. Spicatoside A, a s...