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Phytochemical and Biological Studies of plants from the GenusOxytropis

Mao X. Li, Zhi H. Lan, Li L. Wei, Wen J. Zhang, Ru X. Zhang and Zheng P. Jia

Department of pharmacy, Lanzhou General Hospital of PLA, 333 South Binghe Road, Lanzhou Gansu 730050, P. R. China

Department of pharmacy, Lanzhou University, 222 South Tianshui Road, Lanzhou Gansu 730000, P. R. China

Abstract: A Oxytropis is an important genus of the family Leguminosae and subfamily Papillionoideae, also known as “Locoweed”. About 350 species distribute in many zones of the world. There are about 150 species found in China, and more than 80 species mainly distributed in the northwest and northeast parts. More than 127 chemical constituents have been isolated from the genus Oxytropis, including flavonoids, f lavonones , chalcones , isoflavones , isoflavanone s, dihydroflavones, alkaloids, saponins, lignans and others compounds. Many plants have been used as folk medicine for the treatment of colds, inflammation of carbuncle swelling, pain and different types of bleeding. Meanwhile, has been proven to possess efficacy on anti-tumor, antisepticise, anti-inflammatory, hemostasis, neuroendocrine system effects, immune suppression activities.

Keywords: Oxytropis ; chemical composition; biological activities.