Research progress on chemical components and pharmacological effects of black tiger lignans
Kadsura coccinea Lem. A. C. Smith is a plant of the genus Schisandra in the Schisandraceae family. It is also known as cold Rice and vegetable roll, mountain dragon vine, stinky Rice and vegetable roll, Bufuna, etc. It is mainly distributed in Hunan, Yunnan, Fujian, Guangxi, Sichuan, Jiangxi and other places in China. Growing in sparse forests at an altitude of 1500-2400 meters, it prefers low light and humid environments. The roots and fruits of black tigers have medicinal value. Black tiger root was previously included in the 1977 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Appendix III of the 2010 edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Currently, it is included in local standards such as the Chinese Herbal Medicine Standards in Hunan Province, Shanxi Province, and Guangdong Province. Black tiger root has a pungent and slightly bitter taste, a warm nature, and has the effects of promoting qi circulation, blood circulation, reducing swelling, and relieving pain. It is mainly used to treat stomach diseases, rheumatism, bone pain, and bruises. Black tiger fruit is included in the Hunan Traditional Chinese Medicine Standards and is mainly used to treat menstrual disorders, women’s perimenopausal syndrome, and female infertility. In the Li ethnic region of Hainan, it is also used as a spice for meat preservation and flavor improvement.

At present, more than 200 compounds have been discovered from the black tiger, including lignans, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenes, alkaloids, etc. Among them, lignans are its main chemical components. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the lignans in black tigers have a wide range of pharmacological effects. This article comprehensively summarizes the chemical components and pharmacological effects of lignans in black tiger, in order to provide reference for the research and development of the pharmacological substance basis of black tiger.

Black tiger has great economic value and has become a key supported characteristic industry in some areas of Hunan, Fujian and other provinces. However, due to insufficient research and development on black tigers, there are not many types of black tiger related products with low added value, which restricts the development of the industry to a certain extent. Although we have a comprehensive understanding of the chemical composition of the black tiger, research on its pharmacological effects and substance basis is still very weak. Firstly, many chemical components lack activity and mechanism studies; Secondly, pharmacological research is not comprehensive, in-depth, or systematic, and cannot provide sufficient support for the clinical application and efficacy development of black tiger; Thirdly, there is a significant lack of quantitative research on its chemical composition, which leads to significant limitations in standard research; The fourth issue is the lack of research on in vivo metabolism and the activity of metabolites. These issues require our focus and resolution in future research work.