Role of phytochemicals isolated from Cirsium japonicum in neurological disorders

Phytochemicals are richest source of medicines since human history. Cirsium japonicum (Asteraceae), along with other members in the genus are a rich source of flavonoids, polyacetylenes, acetylenes, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids, sterols, terpenoids and numerous other compounds. Current study aimed to describe an updated review of the literature on the hidden potential of the C. japonicum extracts and its active biological components on neurological disorders. Among various active phytochemicals in C. japonicum includes luteolin, hispidulin, cirsimaritin, acacetin, apigenin, diosmetin, linarin, pectolinarin, and silybin B. Flora of China has been reported around 50 Cirsium species, of which 13 species are reported to be used for treatment of stopping bleedings, removing blood stasis, reducing swelling, treating bleeding syndrome and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer disease (AD). In addition, C. japonicum enhances antioxidant and anticancer activities at cellular level. Moreover, antidepressant potential of ethanol extracts of C. japonicum has also been well described are primarily due to positive modulatory impacts on GABAA receptor (GABAAR) complex. The presence of huge number of active ingredients report in multiple plant species altogether in C. japonicum, appealing for extensive studies for indepth examination of mechanisms and ultimately their usage in clinical trials.