Helleborus sp. an ethnopharmacological and toxicological review

Helleborus sp. are healing plants from the family Ranunculaceae. The aim of this paper is to consider ethnopharmacology and the toxicity of the hellebores which is focused on a detailed research of the value of phytochemicals, as pharmacological attributes of phytomedicine herbs. The data is based on active components. Also, this paper presents the chemical composition of the root in the overall effect of the drug, as well as the importance of the hellebores in pharmacy. It shows a wide range of pharmacological effects such as cardiotonic, immunostimulative, antibacterial, antitumor, diuretic, and emetic. Helleborus odorus Waldst. et Kit. is rich with secondary metabolites such as bufadenolides, flavonoids, phenolic heterozids. With this research it was concluded that these plants have great significance and great application in the formulation of pharmaceutical dosage forms. Keywords: Helleborus sp., phytomedicine, folk medicinal uses, cardiotonic, toxicity, hellebore