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Poria cocos in traditional Chinese medicine: multifaceted insights
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Yue Zhang1, 2, Huiping Zhou3, Jie Yu4, Jian Liu5, Nianjun Yu1, 2, 6, Daiyin Peng1, 2, 6, Gaoxiong Rao4, Xian Zhang5, Yanyan Wang1, 2, *, Lei Wang1, 2, *, Weidong Chen1, 2, 6, *
Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine | 2025, 5(4) : 498 - 527
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Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine | 2025, 5(4): 498-527
• Hundred of herbs •
Poria cocos in traditional Chinese medicine: multifaceted insights
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Yue Zhang1, 2, Huiping Zhou3, Jie Yu4, Jian Liu5, Nianjun Yu1, 2, 6, Daiyin Peng1, 2, 6, Gaoxiong Rao4, Xian Zhang5, Yanyan Wang1, 2, *, Lei Wang1, 2, *, Weidong Chen1, 2, 6, *
Affiliations
  • 1Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
  • 2MOE-Anhui Joint Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Improvement of Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials, Hefei, China
  • 3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
  • 4Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kuiming, China
  • 5Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
  • 6Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Hefei, China
Published: 2025-12-25 doi: 10.1097/HM9.0000000000000178
Outline
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Poria cocos (Fu Ling), a traditional medicinal fungus with more than two millennia of documented use, occupies a central role in East Asian medical practice. This review systematically examines its historical development as recorded in classical materia medica, emphasizing the evolution of its medicinal sources and the specific fungal parts employed. The representative chemical constituents - namely triterpenoids and polysaccharides - are thoroughly summarized with regard to their structural types and distinguishing characteristics. Building on classical therapeutic indications such as promoting diuresis, strengthening the spleen, and calming the mind, recent research is reviewed to elucidate the expanded pharmacological profile of P. cocos. A particular focus is given to its antitumor effects, immunomodulatory activity, anti-obesity properties, mitigation of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, and enhancement of intestinal barrier function. Current mainstream quality evaluation methodologies are outlined, followed by an in-depth discussion of the pharmacokinetics of its principal bioactive components, with special emphasis on the microbial fermentation of polysaccharides into short-chain fatty acids by the gut microbiota. The synergistic role of P. cocos in polyherbal formulations, exemplified by Sijunzi Decoction, is analyzed to highlight its compatibility-enhancing effects. Contemporary applications in modern pharmaceuticals and functional foods are also summarized. Finally, key challenges and prospective directions for future research and industrial development are addressed. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive reference for basic research, product innovation, and clinical utilization of P. cocos.

Poria cocos  /  Triterpenoids  /  Polysaccharides  /  Pharmacological activity  /  Gut microbiota  /  Short-chain fatty acids  /  Pharmacokinetics
Yue Zhang, Huiping Zhou, Jie Yu, Jian Liu, Nianjun Yu, Daiyin Peng, Gaoxiong Rao, Xian Zhang, Yanyan Wang, Lei Wang, Weidong Chen. Poria cocos in traditional Chinese medicine: multifaceted insights[J]. Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, 2025 , 5 (4) : 498 -527 . DOI: 10.1097/HM9.0000000000000178
  • National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(82204748; 82505171)
  • Technology Project of Anhui Province(202423l10050002)
  • Anhui Science and Technology Commissioner Demonstration Project([2024] No. 407)
  • High Level Key Discipline Construction Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine(zyyzdxk-2023095)
  • Anhui province university scientific research plan project team project(2022AH010036)
  • NSFC Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund(U25A20173)
  • Research Career Scientist Award(IK6BX004477)
Year 2025 volume 5 Issue 4
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Article Info
doi: 10.1097/HM9.0000000000000178
  • Receive Date:2025-10-02
  • Online Date:2026-11-04
  • Published:2025-12-25
Article Data
Affiliations
History
  • Received:2025-10-02
  • Accepted:2025-11-26
Funding
National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(82204748; 82505171)
Technology Project of Anhui Province(202423l10050002)
Anhui Science and Technology Commissioner Demonstration Project([2024] No. 407)
High Level Key Discipline Construction Project of Traditional Chinese Medicine(zyyzdxk-2023095)
Anhui province university scientific research plan project team project(2022AH010036)
NSFC Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund(U25A20173)
Research Career Scientist Award(IK6BX004477)
Affiliations
    1Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, China
    2MOE-Anhui Joint Collaborative Innovation Center for Quality Improvement of Anhui Genuine Chinese Medicinal Materials, Hefei, China
    3Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Virginia Commonwealth University and Richmond Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Richmond, VA, USA.
    4Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kuiming, China
    5Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, China
    6Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine Resources Protection and Development, Hefei, China

Corresponding:

* Yanyan Wang, E-mail: ;
Lei Wang, E-mail: ;
Weidong Chen, E-mail: .
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表12种不同金属材料的力学参数
科
Family
属数
Number of
genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of
total species (%)
属
Genus
种数
Number of
species
占总种数比例
Percentage of total
species (%)
鹅膏菌科Amanitaceae 2 11 5.26 鹅膏菌属 Amanita 10 4.78
小菇科 Mycenaceae 2 12 5.74 丝盖伞属 Inocybe 5 2.39
多孔菌科 Polyporaceae 8 14 6.70 蜡蘑属 Laccaria 5 2.39
红菇科 Russulaceae 3 23 11.00 小皮伞属 Marasmius 6 2.87
小菇属 Mycena 11 5.26
光柄菇属 Pluteus 5 2.39
红菇属 Russula 17 8.13
栓菌属 Trametes 5 2.39
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