Lignans in genus Kadsura Kaempf.: Sources, biological activities, mechanisms, and applications

• More than 230 lignans sourced from 12 species of the genus Kadsura were summarized. • 8 kinds of bioactivities of lignans in the genus kadsura were reviewed. • Mechanisms of action and pathway maps for lignan bioactivities were constructed. • Potential utilization and prospects of lignans from genus Kadsura were deliberated. The genus Kadsura Kaempf. ex Juss., which belongs to the important medicine food homology family Schisandraceae , is mainly produced in East and Southeast Asia. Most of their roots, stems, leaves, and seeds contain natural bioactive compounds such as lignans and can be used as herbal medicine in Chinese ancient medical works like “Compendium of Materia Medica”. Its fruit is widely used as an antioxidant, tonic, and hepatoprotective. On the basis of literature research, about 12 species of the genus Kadsura have been reported. The most often mentioned species are K. coccinea and K. heteroclita which are widely used in rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, liver injury and other diseases. In addition, more than 230 lignans in genus Kadsura plants were summarized. The mechanism and effect of biological activities such as anti-oxidation, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer were studied. Finally, the development and utilization of genus Kadsura lignans in the areas of preservation, enhancement of drug absorption, potential functional food raw materials, and cosmetics have also been mentioned, indicating that lignans have the potential for a wide range of applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors.