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Review
. 2014 Jul 22;19(7):10650-69.
doi: 10.3390/molecules190710650.

A systematic review of the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Dracaena cochinchinensis, a plant source of the ethnomedicine "dragon's blood"

Jia-Yi Fan  1 , Tao Yi  2 , Chui-Mei Sze-To  1 , Lin Zhu  1 , Wan-Ling Peng  1 , Ya-Zhou Zhang  1 , Zhong-Zhen Zhao  1 , Hu-Biao Chen  3
Affiliations
Review

A systematic review of the botanical, phytochemical and pharmacological profile of Dracaena cochinchinensis, a plant source of the ethnomedicine "dragon's blood"

Jia-Yi Fan et al. Molecules. .

Abstract

"Dragon's blood" is the name given to a deep red resin obtained from a variety of plant sources. The resin extracted from stems of Dracaena cochinchinensis is one such source of "dragon's blood". It has a reputation for facilitating blood circulation and dispersing blood stasis. In traditional Chinese medicine, this resinous medicine is commonly prescribed to invigorate blood circulation for the treatment of traumatic injuries, blood stasis and pain. Modern pharmacological studies have found that this resinous medicine has anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diabetic, and anti-tumor activities, while it is also known to enhance immune function, promote skin repair, stop bleeding and enhance blood circulation. Various compounds have been isolated from the plant, including loureirin A, loureirin B, loureirin C, cochinchinenin, socotrin-4'-ol, 4',7-dihydroxyflavan, 4-methylcholest-7-ene-3-ol, ethylparaben, resveratrol, and hydroxyphenol. The present review summarizes current knowledge concerning the botany, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicology studies and clinical applications of this resinous medicine as derived from D. cochinchinenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Photos of Dracaena cochinchinensis plant (A) and “Dragon’s Blood” medicinal materials (B).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Structures of chalcones and dihydrochalcones.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Structures of flavanones and flavans.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Structures of polymeric flavonoids.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Structures of chromogen ketones.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Structures of terpenes, steroids and steroidal saponins.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Structures of lignans.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Structures of phenolic constituents.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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