A Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review on Cynomorium Songaricum as Functional and Medicinal Food

The document from April 2018 reviews the phytochemical and pharmacological properties of Cynomorium songaricum Rupr. (CSR), highlighting its use in traditional medicine and as a functional food. It identifies at least 76 bioactive compounds in CSR, which are associated with a range of pharmacological functions, including anti-aging, anti-oxidation, anti-fatigue, anti-HIV activities, and benefits to the immune, nervous, and reproductive systems. The review also notes CSR's traditional use for treating impotence and premature ejaculation and its potential in neurodegenerative disease therapy due to its modulation of neurotransmitter transporters. CSR extracts have shown effects such as liver fibrosis prevention and reversal, immune function improvement in hepatic fibrosis, anti-ulcer activity, cell proliferation promotion, oxidative stress protection, anti-microbial activities, estrogenic activity, and neuroprotective effects. Importantly, CSR demonstrates strong 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, which is relevant for promoting hair regrowth and could be significant for hair loss and alopecia research. The review calls for more research to understand the mechanisms of action, the relationship between compounds and their pharmacological functions, and the development of artificial cultivation techniques for CSR. The study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.