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Chinese Medicine
Published in: Chinese Medicine 1/2020

01-12-2020 | Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia | Review

From natural dye to herbal medicine: a systematic review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of indigo naturalis

Authors: Yang Qi-yue, Zhang Ting, He Ya-nan, Huang Sheng-jie, Deng Xuan, Han Li, Xie Chun-guang

Published in: Chinese Medicine | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

Indigo naturalis is a blue dye in ancient, as well as an extensive used traditional Chinese medicine. It has a wide spectrum of pharmacological properties and can be used to treat numerous ailments such as leukemia, psoriasis, and ulcerative colitis. This article aims to expand our understanding of indigo naturalis in terms of its chemical constituents, pharmacological action and clinical applications.

Methods

We searched PubMed, web of science, CNKI, Google academic, Elsevier and other databases with the key words of “Indigo naturalis”, and reviewed and sorted out the modern research of indigo naturalis based on our research results.

Results

We outlined the traditional manufacturing process, chemical composition and quality control of indigo naturalis, systematically reviewed traditional applictions, pharmacological activities and mechanism of indigo naturalis, and summarized its clinical trials about treatment of psoriasis, leukemia and ulcerative colitis.

Conclusions

Indigo naturalis has a variety of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, immunomodulatory and so on. It has very good clinical effect on psoriasis, leukemia and ulcerative colitis. However, it should be noted that long-term use of indigo naturalis may produce some reversible adverse reactions. In summarize, indigo naturalis is an extremely important drug with great value and potential.
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Metadata
Title
From natural dye to herbal medicine: a systematic review of chemical constituents, pharmacological effects and clinical applications of indigo naturalis
Authors
Yang Qi-yue
Zhang Ting
He Ya-nan
Huang Sheng-jie
Deng Xuan
Han Li
Xie Chun-guang
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Chinese Medicine / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1749-8546
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13020-020-00406-x

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