Rhaponticum genus: a systematic review on traditional uses, phytochemical profiles and pharmacological activities

Background: (Asteraceae/Compositae) comprises 24 species worldwide and has long been utilized in traditional medicine for clearing heat, detoxification, relieving intestinal colic, and treating rheumatoid arthritis, neurasthenia, kidney deficiency, lumbago, and gastrointestinal disorders. Modern pharmacological studies have revealed its diverse bioactivities, including antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, antitumor, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-influenza effects. However, a comprehensive systematic review integrating its traditional uses, phytochemical metabolites and pharmacological activities is still lacking, which hinders its further development and rational utilization. Purpose: species, thereby laying a solid theoretical foundation for the subsequent development, utilization, and in-depth research of this genus. Objective: species, provide a theoretical basis for their future development and utilization, and highlight the necessity of further investigations into this valuable genus. Methods: ). Literature screening was based solely on relevance to the focus of the review, with the past 4 decades. Results: species have a centuries-old history of folk medicinal use, with different ethnic groups utilizing various medicinal parts to treat diverse diseases. A total of 217 metabolites have been isolated and identified from Rhaponticum, covering steroids, flavonoids, sesquiterpenoids, thiophenes, triterpenoids, and other classes. Consistent with traditional uses, modern pharmacological studies have confirmed their antihypertensive, hypolipidemic, antitumor, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, and anti-influenza activities. Conclusion: , providing a valuable reference for its further development and rational utilization.