From ancient healing traditions to modern scientific validation, explore the remarkable journey of this medicinal plant
Imagine a medicinal plant that has been healing people for over 1,500 years, serves as both medicine and food, and contains more than 200 therapeutic compounds. This isn't a fantasy from a science fiction novel—it's the remarkable reality of Smilax glabra Roxb. (SGB), known as "Tufuling" in traditional Chinese medicine.
From ancient physicians treating syphilis to modern scientists researching cancer and antibiotic-resistant infections, this unassuming plant has continued to reveal new secrets across centuries. As modern science begins to validate what traditional healers long understood, SGB emerges as a bridge between tradition and innovation, offering potential solutions to some of today's most challenging health problems.
In this article, we'll explore the fascinating journey of SGB from ancient medical texts to cutting-edge laboratories, uncovering the science behind its therapeutic properties and its promising future in medicine.
Smilax glabra Roxb. boasts an impressive historical pedigree in traditional medicine. First recorded in Ben Cao Jing Ji Zhu during the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420–589 AD), this medicinal plant has been documented repeatedly throughout Chinese medical history 1 3 .
SGB's reach extends far beyond China. This resilient plant grows across 17 countries worldwide, including Nepal, Pakistan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, Australia, and even parts of the United States 1 3 .
Across these diverse cultures, SGB has been incorporated into various aspects of daily life. In Asian countries, it's commonly brewed as a healthful tea or used in nutritious soups, while in the West, it has found use as an ingredient in draft beer and other beverages for its foaming properties 1 .
Modern laboratory techniques have revealed that SGB contains a remarkable array of bioactive compounds, with more than 200 identified to date 1 3 . These compounds work together to produce the plant's therapeutic effects, creating a natural medicine cabinet within a single plant.
| Compound Class | Representative Examples | Biological Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | Astilbin, neoastilbin, isoastilbin, engeletin | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial activities; astilbin is used for quality control in Chinese Pharmacopoeia |
| Phenolic Acids | Eurryphin, kelampayoside A, osmanthuside F | Strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties |
| Stilbenes | Resveratrol analogs | Potential anti-aging and cardiovascular benefits |
| Organic Acids | Various plant acids | Multiple biological activities |
| Phenylpropanoids | Caffeic acid esters | Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects |
Among SGB's chemical components, flavonoids stand out as particularly important. These pigments, derived from the 2-phenylchromone parent nucleus, are considered among the most biologically active ingredients in the plant 3 .
The representative component astilbin deserves special attention—it typically constitutes about 1-2% of the total flavonoids and has such recognized importance that the Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission uses it for quality inspection of SGB, requiring a minimum content of 0.45% 3 .
Other significant flavonoids include taxifolin, naringenin, dihydrokaempferol, and engeletin, each contributing to SGB's therapeutic potential.
Scientific investigation has validated many of SGB's traditional uses while uncovering new therapeutic applications. Research demonstrates that SGB exhibits a remarkable range of pharmacological effects, making it a true polypharmaceutical agent 1 3 .
These diverse activities stem from the complex mixture of bioactive compounds in the plant, which can target multiple physiological pathways simultaneously.
| Pharmacological Activity | Potential Applications | Key Active Compounds |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-infective | Treatment of syphilis, antibacterial effects | Flavonoids, phenolic acids |
| Anti-cancer | Potential adjunctive cancer therapy | Astilbin, resveratrol analogs |
| Anti-inflammatory | Chronic inflammatory conditions | Flavonoids, phenylpropanoids |
| Antioxidant | Reducing oxidative stress | Flavonoids, phenolic compounds |
| Cardiovascular Protection | Heart and blood vessel health | Astilbin, resveratrol analogs |
| Hepatoprotective | Liver protection | Flavonoid-rich fractions |
| Nephroprotective | Kidney injury prevention | Multiple flavonoids |
| Anti-hyperuricemic | Gout and hyperuricemia treatment | Astilbin stereoisomers |
Recent studies have elucidated some fascinating mechanisms behind SGB's therapeutic effects. In heavy metal detoxification, SGB has been shown to protect against lead-induced kidney damage by downregulating the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway, which reduces inflammation and cellular damage 8 .
In cancer research, SGB exhibits anti-cancer properties through multiple pathways, including inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and promoting apoptosis (programmed cell death) 1 . Additionally, a 2025 study revealed that SGB can alleviate cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway 6 .
Helicobacter pylori infection affects nearly half the world's population and is a major cause of gastritis, peptic ulcers, and even gastric cancer 2 5 . In a groundbreaking 2025 study, researchers investigated whether SGB could combat this common pathogen 2 5 .
The team prepared SGB extract using 70% ethanol through hot reflux extraction, then analyzed its chemical composition using UPLC-ESI-MS/MS, which identified 34 compounds including astilbin, engeletin, and various astilbin derivatives 2 5 .
The study yielded compelling evidence of SGB's anti-H. pylori properties. Researchers found that SGB significantly inhibited the growth of all three H. pylori strains tested, with MIC values ranging between 0.5 to 1.5 mg/mL 2 5 .
Even more importantly, SGB exerted a powerful inhibitory effect on H. pylori urease, with an IC50 value of 1.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL 2 5 . This enzyme inhibition is crucial because H. pylori uses urease to neutralize stomach acid, allowing it to survive in the hostile gastric environment.
| Parameter Tested | Result | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-H. pylori activity (MIC) | 0.5-1.5 mg/mL against three strains | Confirms direct antibacterial effect against multiple strains |
| H. pylori urease inhibition (IC50) | 1.04 ± 0.01 mg/mL | Targets key survival enzyme of H. pylori |
| Jack bean urease inhibition (IC50) | 1.01 ± 0.01 mg/mL | Shows broad urease inhibition capability |
| Inhibition type (HPU) | Slow-binding, non-competitive | Suggests specific binding mechanism |
| Most potent compound | Astilbin | Identifies key active component |
| Inhibition site | Sulfhydryl groups at active site | Reveals molecular mechanism of action |
Further analysis revealed that SGB acts as a slow-binding, non-competitive inhibitor of HPU and targets the sulfhydryl groups at the enzyme's active site 2 5 . Among the individual compounds tested, astilbin showed particularly strong urease inhibition—more than three times stronger than engeletin 2 5 .
Molecular docking studies confirmed that both astilbin and engeletin interact with sulfhydryl groups at the active site of urease, providing a structural basis for the observed inhibition.
Studying a complex medicinal plant like SGB requires specialized reagents and techniques. The table below details essential research tools and their functions in SGB research, based on actual laboratory methodologies reported in the studies we've explored.
| Research Reagent/Method | Function in SGB Research | Specific Examples from Studies |
|---|---|---|
| UPLC-ESI-MS/MS | Identifies and characterizes chemical components in SGB extracts | Identified 34 compounds including astilbin and engeletin 2 |
| Agar Dilution Method | Determines minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against microorganisms | Used to test SGB against three H. pylori strains 2 5 |
| Spectrophotometric Berthelot Assay | Measures urease enzyme activity | Assessed SGB's inhibition of H. pylori urease 2 5 |
| Molecular Docking Simulations | Predicts how compounds interact with biological targets at atomic level | Studied astilbin and engeletin binding to urease active site 2 5 |
| Lineweaver-Burk Plots | Determines enzyme inhibition kinetics and mechanism | Analyzed SGB's inhibition type against HPU 2 5 |
| Sulfhydryl Group Reagents (DTT, L-cys, GSH) | Probes role of thiol groups in enzyme inhibition | Confirmed SGB targets sulfhydryl groups in urease 2 5 |
| Hot Reflux Extraction with 70% ethanol | Efficiently extracts bioactive compounds from plant material | Standardized method for preparing SGB extract 2 5 |
Hot reflux extraction with 70% ethanol efficiently isolates bioactive compounds
UPLC-ESI-MS/MS provides detailed chemical profiling of SGB components
Molecular docking reveals interactions at the atomic level
Despite the promising findings, SGB research faces several significant challenges. Many studies on the biological activity of this plant have been based on crude extracts and isolated active ingredients rather than thoroughly investigating their effects in living organisms 1 3 .
The future of SGB research holds tremendous promise. Scientists recommend focusing on well-designed clinical trials to validate the pharmacological effects observed in laboratory studies 1 .
There's also a need to better understand the synergistic interactions between the multiple active compounds in SGB—how they work together to produce therapeutic effects . Additionally, exploring standardized extraction methods that are both effective and environmentally friendly could make SGB preparations more suitable for clinical application .
Smilax glabra Roxb. stands as a powerful example of nature's pharmacy—a medicinal plant that has served humanity for centuries yet continues to reveal new secrets to modern science.
From its historical use against syphilis to its recently discovered anti-H. pylori mechanisms, SGB demonstrates how traditional knowledge and contemporary research can work together to advance human health.
Current evidence suggests that SGB holds significant potential as a source of therapeutic agents for a wide range of conditions, from infectious diseases to cancer and metabolic disorders.
As research continues to unravel the complexities of this remarkable plant, SGB may well emerge as an important bridge between traditional and modern medicine, offering new solutions grounded in ancient wisdom.
Smilax glabra Roxb. represents the convergence of traditional wisdom and scientific innovation, offering promising avenues for future therapeutic development.
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