Alkaloids from Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus - progress on their pharmacological activities

Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus is a valuable and authentic medicinal material widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat respiratory diseases. Modern medical research shows that alkaloids, the main metabolites of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, not only have expectorant and antitussive effects and can disperse swelling, but also have important clinical value and broad prospects for feed development in many areas, such as anti-tumor, antihypertensive, and antioxidant activities. This review systematically summarizes the types of alkaloids found in Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus, including steroidal and isosteroidal forms, as well as six categories of pharmacological effects, such as antitussive, antiasthmatic, and antibacterial activities. It identifies current research challenges, namely, the unclear identification of active metabolites and the lack of elucidation of their mechanisms of action. This work offers a reference for further research and clinical application of Fritillariae Cirrhosae Bulbus.