A comprehensive review with future perspectives of Rhizoma Cibotii (Gou Ji): botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology and quality control.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Rhizoma Cibotii (Gou Ji) is derived from the dried rhizome of the plant Cibotium barometz (L.) J. Sm (In this review, we have focused solely on its rhizome). It was first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, classified as a middle-grade herb. It possesses a "warm" nature with a "bitter" and "sweet" flavour, and enters the liver and kidney meridians. Rhizoma Cibotii possesses the efficacy of dispelling wind-dampness, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and strengthening the waist and knees. It is acclaimed as an excellent remedy for strengthening sinews and bones.

Aim

OF THE REVIEW This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of Rhizoma Cibotii covering its botany, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and quality control. We focus on exploring the traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents, and modern pharmacological effects of Rhizoma Cibotii.

Methods

The databases searched for literature included PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). In addition, information on Rhizoma Cibotii was retrieved from ancient books, regional herbal medicine standards, and modern books. Original classical texts were cross-referenced with scholarly articles from peer-reviewed journals and meticulously verified through character-by-character collation against publicly available digitised images within classical Chinese medical databases.

Results

Rhizoma Cibotii presents as irregularly elongated masses, densely covered with golden-yellow downy hairs on the surface. Numerous ancient and modern books document that Rhizoma Cibotii can be employed for rheumatic arthralgia, soreness in the lower back and knees, and weakness in the lower limbs. In particular, Rhizoma Cibotii has traditionally been valued for its role in managing musculoskeletal disorders. Modern pharmacological studies have confirmed these traditional uses, demonstrating its therapeutic potential in treating osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative bone and joint diseases. Traditional medicinal applications encompass multiple levels including single formulas, empirical formulas, secret formulas, and non-classical formulas. It may also be employed in medicinal cuisine and health-promoting dietary therapies for kidney tonification and bone strengthening. Traditional processing techniques for Rhizoma Cibotii primarily include cleaning to remove hairs, slicing, and thermal treatments such as steaming, stir-frying, or roasting with various adjuncts (e.g., wine, vinegar, salt, or ginger juice), which are employed to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity, or facilitate storage. These aim to enhance its efficacy in tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening tendons and bones. The processing procedure can enhance the biological activity of Rhizoma Cibotii. By increasing active components such as phenolic acids and glycosides, it promotes bone formation, inhibits the generation of osteoclasts, thereby facilitating bone formation and preventing bone resorption. Modern processing predominantly employs standardised methods like sand-roasting and steaming, incorporated into pharmacopoeia standards. Key constituents include phenolic acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, volatile oils, amino acids, and numerous other compounds. Rhizoma Cibotii plays a central role in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders. Modern pharmacological research has confirmed that it can effectively alleviate typical symptoms such as rheumatic joint pain, knee pain, and lower limb weakness through mechanisms including anti-osteoporosis, anti-osteoarthritis, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, this herbal medicine exhibits a wide range of biological activities, including inhibition of platelet aggregation, antioxidant, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anticancer effects. Quality control of Rhizoma Cibotii primarily employs methods such as morphological and microscopic identification, chemical component content determination, fingerprint spectrum analysis, and decoction extraction measurement of processed preparations.

Conclusion

Rhizoma Cibotii is a highly promising plant with dual medicinal and edible applications, holding future potential as an innovative therapeutic agent or functional food ingredient for managing chronic musculoskeletal disorders. However, advancing its practical implementation requires overcoming key challenges, including unclear mechanisms of action, insufficient clinical evidence, and inadequate safety data.