Advances in Research on Effects of the Essential Oil of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and Its Phthalide Constituents on Smooth Muscle

OBJECTIVE To review effects of the essential oil of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its phthalide constituents on smooth muscle based on function. METHODS By searching CNKI, VIP, PubMed and Web of Science databases, 35 related literatures were screened out for review, and the effects of essential oil from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its phthalides were summarized comprehensively. RESULTS The essential oil from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its ligustilide and butylphthalide had obvious pharmacological activity on smooth muscle. The above pharmacological effects were closely related to the efficacy of Angelicae Sinensis Radix. CONCLUSION Study on the relationship of pharmacological activities and their functions between the essential oil from Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its phthalide components provides a theoretical foundation for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, gynecological diseases, respiratory diseases and digestive diseases, and a new idea for the clinical application of Angelicae Sinensis Radix and its effective components and the research and development of new drugs to regulate the smooth muscle relaxation and contraction.