Extraction and purification, pharmacological effects, and product development of oridonin: a review

Abstract

Isodon rubescens (I. rubescens), a plant of the family Lamiaceae, is the dried aerial part of I. rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara. It has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, relieving pain, promoting blood circulation, and reducing swelling. As a highly valued traditional Chinese medicine, it contains a variety of chemical components. Among them, oridonin (ORI) exhibits antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties, garnering significant attention in pharmacological research. Furthermore, ORI serves as a crucial quality control marker for I. rubescens. It can exert biological effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, and visceral organ systems via multiple signaling pathways, thereby conferring potential therapeutic value for related diseases. To improve the efficacy and safety of its applications and ensure that the isolated monomer compounds exhibit high purity and favorable stability, the extraction and purification processes have been optimized. Synthetic ORI-derived products exhibit anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, which are widely used as dietary supplements and functional beverages in daily life. Therefore, this paper reviews the source, extraction and purification, pharmacological effects, derivatives, content determination, toxicity and product applications of ORI. This has updated and deepened the understanding of ORI, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for its further research.