Flavonoids from the genus Polygonatum: biological activities and biosynthesis mechanism
Xin-Pei Ye, Yanyu Hu, Yanxi Chen, Zhen‐Xing Tang, Zhong-Bao Jiang, Yue Fu, Zixin Wang, Erxu Pi, Gao-Feng Bian, Lu‐E Shi
Abstract
The genus Polygonatum is a medicinal plant that has been used as food for a long time, containing various biologically active compounds, including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, and many others. Polygonatum , like other Chinese herbal plants, can be employed as natural medicines, exhibiting a reduced incidence of adverse effects compared to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Flavonoids are key biomarkers that indicate the quality of the genus Polygonatum , and constitute one of the primary active ingredients. Additionally, flavonoids exhibit a range of nutritional, biological and health-promoting characteristics, including antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and hypoglycemic properties. This paper reviewed biosynthesis and bioactivities of flavonoids from the genus Polygonatum . We hope that this paper would ultimately serve as a valuable reference for the development of flavonoid-related functional foods from the genus Polygonatum .