Sakuranetin: A multifaceted study from plant resistance to pharmacological activity

Sakuranetin is a 7-methoxyflavanone compound that is widely found in a variety of plants. In recent years, with the increasing research on sakuranetin, researchers have found that it plays an important function in various aspects of botany and zoology. In this paper, we used a research review to extract the research literature related to sakuranetin published from 2010-2025, and reviewed the research progress on the biosynthesis of sakuranetin, its mechanism of action in plant resistance, and its pharmacological activity. By analysing the relevant studies in recent years, the key roles of sakuranetin in rice disease and insect resistance, as well as its potential for other pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities, anti-tumour activities, involvement in immunomodulation and cardiovascular protection, as well as antiviral activities, were investigated in medical research. The results of this review indicate that the functions of sakuranetins from plant resistance to pharmacological activities are diverse and effective, and there is a need for more in-depth research on flavanones such as sakuranetins in the future and to promote their translation from basic research to practical applications.