桃仁为蔷薇科植物桃或山桃的种子,具有活血祛瘀、润肠通便、止咳平喘等功效。目前对桃仁的研究仍主要集中于其活性成分苦杏仁苷的测定及其质量控制,而对其他单体成分的药理作用机制仍不明晰。综述桃仁在传统理论指导下的现代研究进展,包括其性味、炮制、配伍、质量控制,以及其化学成分和药理、毒理等方面的研究。建议对桃仁提取物中的单体成分在心血管保护、神经保护、免疫调节、抗肿瘤以及肝肾保护等药理作用机制方面进行更深入的探讨,为其资源开发和临床应用提供更详实的理论依据。

The aim of this review is to summarize the advances in studies on Persicae Semen, a Chinese herbal medicine, in the fields of nature and flavor, preparation, quality control, chemical composition, pharmacology, and toxicology. Persicae Semen and its extracts present various pharmacological activities, such as cardiovascular protection, neuroprotection, immunoregulation, antitumor effects and hepatic and renal protection. Though amygdalin, one of the main components in Persicae Semen, had been well studied, the activities and mechanisms of other potential active ingredients should also be more concerned.