Paris Polyphylla Sm.: Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, Molecular Mechanisms, Traditional Uses And Emerging Therapeutic Applications—A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Background: Paris polyphylla Smith.(chonglou) is an important traditional Chinese medicinal herb which has been used widely in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases and cancer in China for thousands of years. The IUCN red list has designated it as "vulnerable" due to depletion of wild population by deforestation, habitat degradation and uncontrolled harvesting for local medicine. The rhizome of Paris polyphylla has historically been used to treat various diseases. including skin allergies, tumors, pain, fungal illnesses, bleeding, and snake bites. Paris saponins or steroidal saponins are the main bioactive chemical constituents from this plant which have demonstrated significant pharmacological effects in various diseases.

Objective: The current review investigates how   P. polyphylla functions to treat various disease conditions, while current scientific studies continue to expand its medicinal applications. The review further explores recent research findings in the medicinal properties of P. polyphylla and its integration into present healthcare systems.

Method: This detailed review presents recent findings on P. polyphylla and explains how its numerous health benefits operate through various biological pathways.  The study presents both traditional uses and current scientific research on its pharmacological properties. It also examines both the challenges and opportunities in P. polyphylla research, aiming to bridge traditional knowledge with modern scientific approaches in integrated medicine.

Results: Polyphyllins I, II, VI, VII, and Polyphyllin H have demonstrated strong anti-tumor activities against various malignancies, including hepatocellular carcinoma, osteosarcomas, glioma, lung cancer, breast cancer, Chronic myelogenous  leukaemia , ovarian cancer, colorecta cancer, and gastric cancer.  Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-gynecological disease, hemostatic, and neuroprotective effects have also been exhibited by the medicinal plant.

Conclusion: This review summarizes the bioactive compounds from the P. polyphylla  which will be of great value in the development of Polyphyllin products.