蛇莓具有清热解毒、消肿散瘀功效,民间多与其它中草药配合使用,用于多种癌症的治疗,近年发现该植物中含有酚酸和三萜类等成分,具有显著的抗氧化和抗肿瘤等药理活性。本文从化学成分、药理作用以及临床应用方面对蔷薇科蛇莓属植物-蛇莓[Duchesnea indica（Andr）Focke]及其同属植物皱果蛇莓[Duchesnea chrysantha（Zollinger & Moritzi）Miquel]进行了系统的综述,以期为其进一步的研究和开发提供有益的参考。

Here we show the therapeutic effects of She-Mei [Duchesnea indica（Andr）Focke], a Chinese herbal medicine for removing toxic heat and eliminating blood stasis. The herb is often used to treat different cancers, along with other Chinese medicines. Some recent studies have found that She-Mei contains phenolic acids and triterpenes, and its crude extracts have a noticeable antioxidant and anticancer activity. This article summarizes a range of studies concerning the chemical composition, pharmacological activities, as well as clinical applications of the herb. It makes a valuable information source for future investigations.

科技部973计划国际科技合作重点项目(2004CB720301):中药方剂抗恶性肿瘤的作用机制研究,负责人:唐劲天。