石斛属植物抗糖尿病本草学、 物质基础及作用机制研究进展

石斛属Dendrobium Sw.隶属于兰科,该属多数植物的新鲜或干燥茎均作为中药石斛使用,民间用于“热病伤津,口干烦渴”等证,临床广泛用于糖尿病及其并发症治疗。随着研究的深入,石斛属植物抗糖尿病的物质基础及作用机制不断被揭示。在梳理古代本草和现代文献的基础上,对近年来国内外石斛属植物抗糖尿病的本草学、物质基础及其作用机制的研究进行综述。结果显示,石斛属植物具有良好的降血糖活性,在抗糖尿病药物及功能食品研发方面具有极大的开发潜力。尽管已有学者对石斛属植物抗糖尿病药效和物质基础开展了相关研究,但所关注的物种较为分散,且缺乏临床证据支撑,今后应进一步基于古代本草、民间经验和临床应用,选择抗糖尿病药效显著的物种,从物质基础和作用机制等多角度深入展开研究,尤其是新作用靶点、新机制的关注,对抗糖尿病药物的研发和石斛属植物的开发利用具有重要的意义。

Research progress on anti-diabetic herbalism, material basis and mechanism of Dendrobium genus

Dendrobium is the largest genus of the Orchidaceae family. The fresh and dried stems of many species of this genus had been used as Shihu (Dendrobii Caulis) in traditional Chinese medicine to treat diabetes in clinic with wide application, which had also been recorded to treat the symptom of "fever hurts body fluid, dry mouth and polydipsia". With the deepening of research, the anti-diabetic components and mechanisms of Dendrobium have been revealed constantly. In the present study, the research on anti-diabetic herbalism, material basis, and action mechanism of this genus was summarized based on ancient materia medica and modern literatures. The results indicated that Dendrobium could reduce plasma glucose levels and has excellent potential in anti-diabetic drugs and functional foods development. Although the efficacy and material basis of Dendrobium plants against diabetes had also been studied, the focused species were dispersed and lacked clinical evidence. Accordingly, we should choose Dendrobium plant with remarkable anti-diabetic effects through ancient herbs, folk experience, and clinical application. In addition, the material basis and mechanism should be studied from different angles and levels, especially in new targets and mechanisms. It is essential for the development of anti-diabetic drugs and the utilization of Dendrobium plants.