ABSTRACT
The folk medicinal herb Brandisia hancei Hook. f. (Scrophulariaceae) is mainly distributed throughout southwestern China. The whole plant has been frequently prescribed for centuries in Bai, Hani, and Yu minority areas of China to treat chronic and acute osteomyelitis, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic hepatitis, hyperlipemia, and hypercholesterolemia, while the roots and leaves are used to cure hepatitis, hematuria, enterorrhagia, and metritis (1, 2). Reports dealing with B. hancei have shown that this plant in general appears to have a reproducible profile regarding its phytochemistry and pharmacology, which is quite consistent with its use in folk medicine. The species is commonly prepared as a main component drug in several decoc-tions. As this herb is so clinically important, the plant has received much chemical and biological attention to obtain a better understanding of its phytochemistry and pharmacology. This chapter is dedicated to the chemical composition, pharmacological aspects, and health effects of B. hancei reported so far in the literature.
