Description

Gentiana rigescens (Gentianaceae) is a precious and highly appreciated Chinese herbal medicine, which is widely distributed in the southwest of China, especially in Yunnan Province. As a perennial herb, the root and rhizome are used as the primary medicinal part. This medicine mainly contains iridoids, lignans, triterpenes and others. Among them, gentiopicroside, which belongs to the iridoid class of compounds, is the main active constituents of G. rigescens and it is recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (version 2015) as a quality criterion. This compound has long been used in the treatment of hepatic and cholalic diseases, as it has liver-protective and choleretic functions.