Research progress in the stress-improved medicinal plants

<p indent="0mm">Favorable environmental conditions are correlated with increased yields, whereas stressful conditions tend to enhance the quality of medicinal plants. A substantial proportion of the bioactive compounds present in medicinal plants are categorized as secondary metabolites. Secondary metabolism involves the biosynthesis of non-essential substances that play a critical role in the organism’s survival, as well as the storage of these secondary metabolites. Stressful conditions can activate the secondary metabolic pathways in plants, thereby facilitating the accumulation of active compounds. This article systematically reviews and summarizes the effects of various abiotic stress factors on the secondary metabolism and quality of medicinal plants, as well as the associated mechanisms involved. It also provides insights into potential future research directions within this field. Moreover, it offers theoretical support for enhancing the quality of medicinal plants.