1.Research Development in Biosynthesis and Metabolic Regulation of Tetracyclic Triterpenoid Saponins in Medicinal Plants
Ling YANG ; Wei FAN ; Zhengui MENG ; Guangqiang LONG ; Longgen LI ; Guanghui ZHANG ; Shengchao YANG ; Junwen CHEN
World Science and Technology-Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2018;20(6):1018-1025
Triterpenoid saponins is an important secondary metabolites in medicinal plants, and the tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, as one of the main categories, have very high medicinal value and market demand. However, there is no systematic review on the research. Thus, the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathway and metabolism of the medicinal plant tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins has important theoretical significance and broad application prospects.In this review, the biosynthetic pathway and metabolic regulation of medicinal plant of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins were discussed. My focus in this paper was to introduce the research development of several metabolic biosynthetic pathways of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins centered on dammarane type, and the gene improvement by methods such as metabolic pathway and other technological methods. This study provides references on secondary metabolic framework of medicinal plants of tetracyclic triterpenoid saponins, accurately locating secondary metabolism and its key enzymes, and promoting the sustainable uses of medicinal plant resources.