The Acanthopanax species belonging to the Araliaceae family includes 37 species around the world, which are widely distributed in the northeast of Asia. Of these, 26 species and 18 varieties grow in mainland China, especially in the north [1, 2]. The root and stem barks of these plants have been clinically used for a long time as a tonic and sedative, as well as for the treatment of rheumatism, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, hypertension, anti-stress and ischemic heart disease, and gastric ulcer [3]. Acanthopanax brachypus Harms is distributed in a narrow geographical area, most in the loess plateau of the northwest of China [4]. Nowadays, the parts of this plant, such as the roots, leaves, and flowers, are employed for various therapeutic purposes in China and Korea [5]. However, to date, the research has mainly concentrated on the reproductive biology and ecology, and there have been few studies on the chemical composition and biological activity [6]. The present investigation is focused on the chemical constituents of the valuable medicinal plant A. brachypus.
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