Asian Journal
Of Traditional Medicines

Abstract: Bletilla striata is the traditional medicine widely used to treat a series of diseases such as bleeding, burns and tumor. The congeners have similar effect. This study reviewed the recent research progress on the chemical components and pharmacological activities of the genus Bletilla. The review summarized over 160 compounds isolated from the plants of genus Bletilla, including phenanthrenes, diphenanthrenes, bibenzyls, flavonoids and quinones. The plants of genus Bletilla have potent bioactivities, such as hemostatic activity, effect of promoting wound healing, antitumor activity and anti-inflammatory activity. Although a lot of compounds have been isolated from the genus Bletilla, pharmacological studies have been limited to anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities.

Key words: Bletilla Rchb. f., chemical constituents, pharmacological activities