J Ethnopharmacol. 2026 Apr 6:121628. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2026.121628. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Chuanminshen violaceum Sheh et Shan is a medicinal-and-edible Apiaceae plant in China recorded for yin nourishment, lung/spleen tonification, and phlegm resolution, and used for cough and chronic respiratory complaints.

STUDY AIM: To synthesize current evidence on botanical resources, chemistry, pharmacology, and applications of C. violaceum, and to define priorities for standardized and safe development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This review integrates studies on resource distribution and ecological adaptability, multi-fraction phytochemistry, extraction-purification and formulation technologies, preclinical pharmacology, and quality, safety, and regulatory considerations.

RESULTS: C. violaceum contains structurally diverse polysaccharides plus volatile oils (often polyacetylene-rich), phenolics (e.g., chlorogenic acid and rutin), PUFA-rich lipids, and newly reported minor constituents. Polysaccharides show variable monosaccharide profiles, molecular-weight ranges, and linkage/branching patterns, strongly influenced by extraction-purification; derivatization (e.g., sulfation/selenization) and delivery systems can further tune physicochemical properties. Preclinical studies report antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, cardioprotective, and antiviral effects, commonly linked to Nrf2/Keap1 redox defense, inflammatory signaling control, TLR2/4-related immune regulation, gut-barrier reinforcement with microbiota remodeling, and anti-ferroptotic protection in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion models. Applications span traditional dosage forms and functional foods, but translation is limited by origin/process variability, incomplete long-term safety and ADME data, and regulatory uncertainty.

CONCLUSIONS: C. violaceum is a promising ethnomedicinal resource with clear part-specific features and polysaccharide-centered potential. Future work should combine multi-omics with target validation, fingerprint-guided QC and traceability, greener scalable processing, and regulatory-aligned safety packages to enable reproducible products.

PMID:41951195 | DOI:10.1016/j.jep.2026.121628