Mongolian pharmacy is an important part of traditional medicine for the Chinese nation, with a long history and a complete theoretical system. The Mongolian people have accumulated and summarized the types and usage of Mongolian medicines in the practice of fighting against diseases over a long history. Mongolian medicinal resources are rich and diverse, the processing is self-contained, and the methods of medication are scientific and reasonable. Mongolian pharmacy not only has a deep historical relationship with traditional Chinese medicine but has also absorbed the essence of ancient Tibetan and Indian Ayurvedic medicine in the process of its development. We can identify the historical traces of the continuous exchange, communication, and integration of various ethnic medicinal cultures from the names of Mongolian medicinal materials. Because of the differences in languages and cultures of the various ethnic groups, the names of Mongolian medicinal materials have undergone a long historical period of evolution. These need to be further standardized owing to complications caused by the existence of synonyms and homonyms.

OBJECTIVETo summarize the studies on chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of lichens of Usnea genus.

METHODA systematic literature survey was conducted to classifiy and summarize chemical constituents of lichens of Usnea genus, and sum up current studies on main pharmacological activities of lichens of the genus.

RESULTLichens of Usnea genus contained multiple chemical constituents, primarily including mono-substituted phenyl rings, depsides, anthraquinones, dibenzofurans, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids and polysaccharides, with such biological activities as antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation and antithrombosis.

CONCLUSIONThis essay provides reference for further studies and development of lichens of Usnea genus.

Animals ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Organic Chemicals ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Usnea ; chemistry

Objective: To study the chemical constituents from traditional Chinese (Mongolian) medicine, Lomatogonium carinthiacum and Halenia corniculate. Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by silicagel column, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and high performance liquid chromategramphy. The structures were identified by NMR and MS analysis technics. Results: Twelve compounds were isolated and identified as isovitexin (1), Luteolin-5-O-β-D-glucoside (2), Isosaponarin (3), Luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (4,7), 1,4,8-Trimethoxy-xanthone-6-O-β-D-glucoronyl-(1 → 6)O-β-Dglucoside (5), friginosideD (6), 1-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone (8), 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxyxanthone (9), 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,7-tetramethoxyxanthone(10), 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,5,7-pentamethoxyxanthone (11) and usnic acid (12). Conclusion: Compounds 6 and 12 are obtained from L. carinthiacum and H. corniculate for the first time.

Syringa oblata is a traditional Mongolian medicine mainly distributed in the Helan Mountains (the boundaries of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia, China) and the north of Yan Mountains (Aohan Qi, Inner Mongolia, China). It is clinically used to treat diseases caused by Heyi, such as heartache and heat pathogen in the heart. Phytochemical studies on S. oblata revealed the presence of iridoids, lignans, triterpenes, phenylpropanoids, phenylethanoids, and volatile components. Pharmacological investigations revealed a broad spectrum of bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiproliferative, and hepatoprotective effects. This article summarized the chemical components and pharmacological activities of S. oblata, providing a scientific rationale for its bioactive constituents, quality control, and utilization as an important medicine.

Introduction: Lichen is a stable symbiotic complex formed by fungi and symbiotic algae. There are many kinds of lichens, which are cold and drought resistant, and have strong adaptability to the environment. Lichens can grow and reproduce in places where other organisms are difficult to survive. Apart from their ecological importance, they have become important natural medicinal resources due to the production of a large number of unique secondary metabolites (depsides, depsidones, dibenzofurans, pulvinic acid derivatives) and pigments (anthraquinones, napthoquinones, and xanthones) which can act as biomarkers as well as bioactive compounds. Usnea longissima Ach. is a hanging hair lichen, that grows circumpolar in high humidity inland areas and coastal forests of Europe, Asia, and North America. This lichen has been used therapeutically for centuries in Mongolian traditional systems of medicine for its analgesic, cardiotonic, stomachic, and wound healing properties. Recently, many scholars have studied the chemical constituents and biological activities of Usnea longissima Ach and its related varieties, and obtained gratifying results. Previous studies on its chemical constituents have resulted in isolation of several bioactive secondary metabolites which include monosubstituted phenyls, depsides, anthraquinones, dibenzofuran derivatives, and terpenoids. In order to understand the clinical application and devote to the deeper scientific research and development, the pharmacological literature of Usnea longissima Ach was sorted out in this study. Methods: Collect and sort out the modern periodical literature and the related pharmacological studies of Usnea longissima Ach in academic websites. Result and Conclusion The pharmacological studies of Mongolian medicine Usnea longissima Ach were studied in this paper. Usnea longissima Ach has a long history of medicinal use, which is recorded in the traditional medical materials of Tibetan, Mongolian, Uygurs, Tai and other ethnic minorities, as well as traditional Chinese medicine. According to the records, different nationalities in different countries have their own traditional medical theories as the basis for the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases. Previous studies on its chemical constituents have resulted in isolation of several bioactive secondary metabolites which include monosubstituted phenyls, depsides, anthraquinones, dibenzofuran derivatives, and terpenoids. The Usnea longissima Ach tastes bitter and it has the function of anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-cancer and detoxification effects. But it requires further study such as extract, isolate, and analyze the more chemical ingredients and its pharmacological activity.

Mongolian medicine (MM) is an important part of Mongolian culture. Exploration of MM can play a crucial role in the prevention and treatment of various diseases and can help provide better health care globally. In this article, we gave a brief introduction to the origin and development of MM, the theoretical system of MM, the principles of Mongolian materia medica formula, the modern research on Mongolian materia medica and the quality control of Mongolian materia medica. The present situation and outlook of MM were also discussed.