Abstract Context: Radix Bupleuri has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years with functions of relieving exterior syndrome, clearing heat, regulating liver-qi, and lifting yang-qi. More natural active compounds, especially saikosaponins, have been isolated from Radix Bupleuri, which possess various valuable pharmacological activities. Objective: To summarize the current knowledge on pharmacological activities, mechanisms and applications of extracts and saikosaponins isolated from Radix Bupleuri, and obtain new insights for further research and development of Radix Bupleuri. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Science Direct, Research Gate, Academic Journals and Google Scholar were used as information sources through the inclusion of the search terms ‘Radix Bupleuri’, ‘Bupleurum’, ‘saikosaponins’, ‘Radix Bupleuri preparation’, and their combinations, mainly from the year 2008 to 2016 without language restriction. Clinical preparations containing Radix Bupleuri were collected from official website of China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Results and conclusion: 296 papers were searched and 128 papers were reviewed. A broad spectrum of in vitro and in vivo research has proved that Radix Bupleuri extracts, saikosaponin a, saikosaponin d, saikosaponin c, and saikosaponin b2, exhibit evident anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antiviral, anti-allergic, immunoregulation, and neuroregulation activities mainly through NF-κB, MAPK or other pathways. 15 clinical preparations approved by CFDA remarkably broaden the application of Radix Bupleuri. The main side effect of Radix Bupleuri is liver damage when the dosage is excess, which indicates that the maximum tolerated dose is critical for clinical use of Radix Bupleuri extract and purified compounds.

中文翻译：

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从柴胡中分离的活性柴胡皂苷和提取物及其应用的系统评价

摘要 背景：柴胡作为中药使用已有2000多年的历史，具有理表、清热、理气、升阳的功效。更多的天然活性化合物，特别是柴胡皂苷，已从柴胡中分离出来，具有多种有价值的药理活性。目的：总结当前柴胡提取物及柴胡皂苷的药理活性、作用机制及应用知识，为柴胡的进一步研发提供新思路。方法：PubMed、Web of Science、Science Direct、Research Gate、Academic Journals 和 Google Scholar 被用作信息来源，包括搜索词“Radix Bupleuri”、“Bupleurum”、“saikosaponins”、“Radix Bupleuri Preparation”、和它们的组合，主要是2008年到2016年，没有语言限制。含柴胡的临床制剂来自国家食品药品监督管理总局（CFDA）官方网站。结果与结论：检索296篇论文，审阅128篇论文。广泛的体内外研究证明柴胡提取物、柴胡皂苷a、柴胡皂苷d、柴胡皂苷c和柴胡皂苷b2具有明显的抗炎、抗肿瘤、抗病毒、抗过敏、免疫调节和神经调节活性。通过 NF-κB、MAPK 或其他途径。CFDA批准的15种临床制剂显着拓宽了柴胡的应用范围。柴胡的主要副作用是用量过量时对肝的损害，