A comprehensive review of chemicals and biosynthetic pathways in toad (Bufo) bile
10.16438/j.0513-4870.2023-1389
- VernacularTitle:蟾蜍胆的化学成分及其生物合成研究进展
- Author:
Li-jun RUAN
1
;
Bing-xiong YAN
2
;
Yun-qiu WU
2
;
Cai-yun YAO
2
;
Xiao-nan YANG
2
;
Zhi-jun SONG
2
;
Ren-wang JIANG
3
Author Information
1. National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Materials Resources Development, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning 530023, China; State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Draggability Assessment, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
2. National Engineering Research Center for Southwest Endangered Medicinal Materials Resources Development, Guangxi Botanical Garden of Medicinal Plants, Nanning 530023, China
3. State Key Laboratory of Bioactive Molecules and Draggability Assessment, College of Pharmacy, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, China
- Publication Type:Research Article
- Keywords:
italic>Bufo;
toad bile;
cholestane;
bufadienolides;
biosynthesis
- From:
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica
2024;59(6):1616-1626
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
The toad, known for its various medicinal properties including parotid gland secretion (toad venom), dried skin, and gallbladder (toad bile), holds considerable medicinal applications as a valuable traditional Chinese animal medicine. Currently, in-depth attentions have been paid to the chemical composition and pharmacological properties of toad venom and skin; however, a lesser number of detailed analyses were concentrated on the toad bile. This review provides an overview of the chemical constituents in the bile of the Bufo genus, with a special focus on the cholestane and bufadienolides, and highlights the progress in their biosynthetic pathway and pharmacological activities. The analysis uncovers a distinct category of unsaturated Δ22 or Δ23-C27/C28 bile acids in the toad gallbladder, potentially acting as key intermediaries in forming C-17 α-pyrone of bufadienolides. Furthermore, the high presence of 3α-OH configured bufadienolides in toad bile, in contrast to the common 3β-OH configured found in toad venom or skin, indicates a possible link between their minimal toxicity and the toad's self-defensive or physiological control. This review provides scientific basis for the development and utilization of toad bile resources, and provides useful reference for the discovery of lead compounds, analysis of the biosynthetic pathway of bufadienolides, and research on toad physiology.
