Research progress on Bergenia purpurascens: a narrative review
- 1School of Chinese Materia Medica, Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine , , ,
Abstract
Bergenia purpurascens (Hook.f.et Thoms.) Engl., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Bergenia (family Saxifragaceae), is primarily distributed in southwestern China and mountainous regions of Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India, where it has a long history of medicinal use. A systematic retrieval of relevant literature was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, and Web of Science using “ Bergenia purpurascens ” and “ Bergenia ” as primary keywords, supplemented by “chemical metabolite,” “pharmacological action,” and “resource distribution” as search terms. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the botanical characteristics, resource distribution, medicinal parts, chemical metabolites, pharmacological activity, toxicology, and modern applications of B. purpurascens. Its primary active metabolites include phenolics, including bergenin, gallic acid, and arbutin, which exhibit expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and neuroprotective activities. Recent studies elucidating the bergenin biosynthetic pathway provide a basis for industrial production. Additionally, B. purpurascens shows broad development potential in pharmaceuticals, health products, cosmetics, and landscaping. This review provides a scientific basis for further research and comprehensive utilization of B. purpurascens .
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BibTeX
@article{changxi2026research,
title = {{Research progress on Bergenia purpurascens: a narrative review}},
author = {Li Chang-xi and Xu Xiang and Fu Ying and Xie Zongyi and Li Lin-zhe and Yu Jie and Li Xue-fang},
journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3389/fphar.2026.1863591},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13662790},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Research progress on Bergenia purpurascens: a narrative review
AU - Li Chang-xi
AU - Xu Xiang
AU - Fu Ying
AU - Xie Zongyi
AU - Li Lin-zhe
AU - Yu Jie
AU - Li Xue-fang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/30
JO - Frontiers in pharmacology
DO - 10.3389/fphar.2026.1863591
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13662790
AB - Bergenia purpurascens (Hook.f.et Thoms.) Engl., a perennial herb belonging to the genus Bergenia (family Saxifragaceae), is primarily distributed in southwestern China and mountainous regions of Nepal, Bhutan, and northeastern India, where it has a long history of medicinal use. A systematic retrieval of relevant literature was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, CNKI, and Web of Science using “ Bergenia purpurascens ” and “ Bergenia ” as primary keywords, supplemented by “chemical metabolite,” “pharmacological action,” and “resource distribution” as search terms. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the botanical characteristics, resource distribution, medicinal parts, chemical metabolites, pharmacological activity, toxicology, and modern applications of B. purpurascens. Its primary active metabolites include phenolics, including bergenin, gallic acid, and arbutin, which exhibit expectorant, antitussive, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitumor, and neuroprotective activities. Recent studies elucidating the bergenin biosynthetic pathway provide a basis for industrial production. Additionally, B. purpurascens shows broad development potential in pharmaceuticals, health products, cosmetics, and landscaping. This review provides a scientific basis for further research and comprehensive utilization of B. purpurascens .
SN - 1663-9812
ER -