From Traditional Use to Modern Pharmacology: Research Progress on the Multi-target Mechanisms of Potentilla discolor Bunge
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Keywords

Potentilla discolor Bunge
Phytochemistry
Multi-target pharmacology
Signaling pathways
Traditional Chinese medicine

DOI

10.26689/jcnr.v10i2.13594

Submitted : 2026-02-08
Accepted : 2026-02-23
Published : 2026-03-10

Abstract

Potentilla discolor Bunge, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has been extensively utilized for treating diverse ailments including diabetes, bacterial infections, viral diseases, and inflammatory disorders. Modern phytochemical investigations have identified over 200 bioactive compounds, predominantly flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids. Pharmacological studies demonstrate that P. discolor exerts multi-target therapeutic effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities. Its mechanisms involve modulation of key signaling pathways including PI3K/Akt, MAPK, NF-κB, and Nrf2/HO-1, alongside regulation of glucose-lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. This review systematically summarizes the phytochemistry, traditional applications, and contemporary pharmacological advances of P. discolor, emphasizing its multi-target characteristics and molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, current research limitations and future perspectives are discussed to provide scientific evidence for its clinical development and therapeutic applications.

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