Advances in the chemical constituents, pharmacological activity, and clinical application of Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma : A review and predictive analysis of quality markers (Q-markers)

Smilacis Glabrae Rhizoma (SGR ) is recognized in traditional Chinese medicine for its distinctive therapeutic properties and abundant supply. Its phytochemical profile is diverse, encompassing flavonoids, steroids, saccharides, phenolic glycosides, volatile constituents, organic acids, phenylpropanoids, stilbenoids, among others. Recent pharmacological investigations reveal that SGR possesses a broad spectrum of pharmacological effects with multifaceted clinical applications. This review collates the current knowledge on SGR 's chemical composition, pharmacological activities, and its clinical utility. Utilizing network pharmacology and molecular docking approaches, this study provides a preliminary identification of potential quality markers (QMarkers) within SGR. The findings suggest that compounds such as astilbin, isoengelitin, neoisoastilbin, neoastilbin, astragaloside, diosgenin, resveratrol, stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, and quercetin in SGR are promising candidates for Q-Markers. While flavonoids are the most extensively studied, there is a pressing need to further explore the active monomeric compounds within SGR. The introduction of Q-Markers is instrumental in developing standardized quality metrics. Specifically, astilbin has been noted for its antitumor, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, antihyperuricemic, and hepatoprotective potential, warranting further research for therapeutic applications.