{"title":"A review of ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Strychnos (Loganiaceae)","authors":"Deepti Gulati, Yashasvi Singh","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10262-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10262-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The genus <i>Strychnos</i>, belonging to the family Loganiaceae, has been extensively utilized in traditional medicine for the management of neurological disorders, rheumatism, malaria, digestive disorders, and skin diseases. Despite the identification of numerous secondary metabolites in this genus, a comprehensive review consolidating its ethnobotanical uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities remains lacking. The present review aims to provide an updated and systematic compilation of these aspects, thereby establishing a basis for future pharmacological and translational investigations. Literature was collected from ethnomedicinal texts, scientific databases, and other relevant sources following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 252 phytochemicals have been reported from the genus, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic acids, phytosterols, and other secondary metabolites. Preclinical pharmacological studies indicate that <i>Strychnos</i> species exhibit diverse bioactivities, such as antimicrobial, antiparasitic, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. These findings underscore the value of <i>Strychnos</i> species as sources of bioactive compounds for future drug discovery efforts. Species for which insufficient phytochemical or pharmacological evidence was available were excluded from detailed analysis. Furthermore, structure–activity relationships, mechanisms of action, toxicological evaluation, pharmacokinetic characterization, and in vivo validation remain insufficiently explored and warrant further investigation.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4525 - 4576"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782641","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hamzeh J. Al-Ameer, Omayma Salim Waleed, S. Renuka Jyothi, Priya Priyadarshini Nayak, Siya Singla, Gurjant Singh, Annaev Umidjon, Azizjanov Khushnud Maksudovich, Manoj Kumar-Mishra
{"title":"Enhancing immune checkpoint inhibitor response in gastrointestinal cancers through ginsenoside based adjuvant therapy","authors":"Hamzeh J. Al-Ameer, Omayma Salim Waleed, S. Renuka Jyothi, Priya Priyadarshini Nayak, Siya Singla, Gurjant Singh, Annaev Umidjon, Azizjanov Khushnud Maksudovich, Manoj Kumar-Mishra","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10267-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10267-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers remain a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, and many patients with advanced disease continue to respond poorly to standard therapies. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have transformed the management of several solid tumors, their benefits in most GI cancers are limited by low tumor mutational burden, microsatellite stability, and immunologically “cold” tumor microenvironments. These limitations have stimulated interest in safe, biologically active adjuvants capable of enhancing antitumor immunity. Ginsenosides, the principal bioactive components of ginseng, exhibit diverse anticancer and immunomodulatory properties that may help overcome resistance to immunotherapy. Preclinical studies in liver, colorectal, gastric, and esophageal cancer models demonstrate that selected ginsenosides promote apoptosis, influence DNA damage responses, inhibit angiogenesis, modulate inflammatory signaling, and downregulate PD-L1 and other immune resistance pathways. Advanced formulations, including ginseng-derived nanoparticles and liposomal systems, further suggest potential roles in drug delivery and tumor microenvironment remodeling. Clinical evidence from traditional Chinese medicine also indicates that ginseng-based preparations can support immune function, mitigate treatment-related fatigue, and improve tolerance to chemo-radiotherapy. However, the precise molecular targets, optimal combinatorial strategies, and predictive biomarkers for ginsenoside-mediated immunomodulation remain insufficiently defined. Integrating systems pharmacology, single-cell technologies, and modern clinical trial design will be essential to establish the therapeutic value of ginsenosides as adjuvants to immunotherapy in GI cancers.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4707 - 4730"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Giovanna Patricio Cordeiro, Kauanny Picinin Araújo, Rafael Cardoso Rial
{"title":"Bioactive compounds associated with medicinal infusions and phytochemical preparations from Brazilian Cerrado plants: phytochemical diversity and structural elucidation","authors":"Giovanna Patricio Cordeiro, Kauanny Picinin Araújo, Rafael Cardoso Rial","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10261-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10261-7","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The Brazilian Cerrado represents one of the world’s most biodiverse savanna ecosystems and harbors a rich reservoir of medicinal plant species traditionally used in the preparation of aqueous infusions and decoctions. This review provides a critical and comparative assessment of traditional aqueous preparations and complementary phytochemical studies involving four emblematic Cerrado species: <i>Dipteryx alata</i> Vogel, <i>Hancornia speciosa</i> Gomes, <i>Bowdichia virgilioides</i> Kunth, and <i>Eugenia dysenterica</i> DC. The available evidence derives from heterogeneous preparation systems, including traditional aqueous infusions, hydroethanolic and methanolic extracts, chromatographically fractionated preparations, isolated compounds, formulation-based systems, and metabolomics-oriented analytical approaches. Across these systems, more than 80 metabolites have been reported, including flavonoids, isoflavonoids, phenolic acids, proanthocyanidins, galloylated derivatives, and prenylated chalcones, characterized using LC–MS/MS, HPLC–DAD, GC–MS, PS-MS, and one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. The reviewed studies suggest antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, cytoprotective, antinociceptive, and neuropharmacological potential associated with proposed modulation of pathways involving NF-κB, AMPK, COX-related mediators, α-glucosidase, oxidative stress responses, and inflammatory signaling. Comparative structure–activity interpretations further suggest that prenylated and galloylated substituents may contribute to enhanced lipophilicity, membrane interaction, and biological responsiveness. However, the current evidence remains fragmented due to heterogeneous extraction methodologies, limited pharmacokinetic and toxicological characterization, insufficient standardization of preparations, and the scarcity of clinically relevant validation studies. This review highlights the importance of integrating ethnobotanically realistic aqueous preparations with metabolomics, bioassay-guided fractionation, and advanced analytical platforms to better understand which metabolites are genuinely associated with the traditional medicinal use of Cerrado species and their potential biotechnological applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4487 - 4524"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11101-026-10261-7.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent progress in plant flavonoid pigments: structural diversity, color properties and applications","authors":"Yusuke Taga, Kosei Yamauchi","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10272-4","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10272-4","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Among plant secondary metabolic compounds, compounds that absorb wavelengths within the human visible range (450–700 nm) to produce red to blue colors are classified as pigment compounds. They have crucial ecological functions, such as attracting pollinators and avoiding herbivores. Beyond their ecological roles, they are often extracted and isolated for use in various products owing to their attractive colors. In recent years, natural pigments have garnered increasing attention as alternatives to synthetic colorants, driven by growing consumer awareness of the health and environmental benefits of natural products. Among the plant-derived pigments, flavonoid pigments offer both color varieties and notable bioactive properties. Flavonoid pigments are subdivided into anthocyanin- and quinone-type pigments. The anthocyanin-type pigments include anthocyanins and anthocyanidins. Conversely, quinone-type pigments are characterized by the presence of benzoquinone or quinone methide moieties, wherein certain hydroxyl groups of flavonoids are quinonized. To exploit their potential in diverse applications, a comprehensive understanding of their structures, physical properties, and the mechanisms underlying their color change is essential. This review provides a comprehensive overview on the recent progress in the exploration of new flavonoid pigment compounds and their applications in various fields. This is expected to promote the discovery of new flavonoid pigments and their applications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 7","pages":"5129 - 5145"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927450","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A comprehensive review of mechanistic insights into Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco: integration of phytochemistry and pharmacology","authors":"Jing Xian Lim, Phaik Har Yong, Zhi Xiang Ng","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10270-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10270-6","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p><i>Platycladus orientalis</i> (L.) Franco is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in Asia. Being recognized as one of the 50 fundamental herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, it has attracted increasing attention for its promising therapeutic potential. This study aims to review the phytopharmacological and safety profile of <i>P. orientalis</i>, offering a scientific foundation for its potential therapeutic applications. Published literatures related to <i>P. orientalis</i> for the past 20 years were retrieved with specific keywords from Web of Science, Ovid Medline, and Scopus databases. Case reports, letters to the editor, and conference proceedings were excluded from the study. <i>P. orientalis</i> has been utilized in various forms, including decoctions, pastes, and essential oils. Its key bioactive constituents comprise monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, flavonoids, glycosides, fatty acids, and polysaccharides. These compounds collectively contribute to its reported anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and neuroprotective properties. Safety studies have shown that <i>P. orientalis</i> is non-toxic in normal cell lines and rodent models. However, compounds like α-pinene and thujone have demonstrated insecticidal effects. Clinically, <i>P. orientalis</i> has proven effective in promoting hair growth and alleviating osteoarthritis symptoms. Nutraceutical formulations derived from its seed oil have shown promising potential for joint support. Despite the various health benefits, limited clinical evidence has hindered the commercial development of <i>P. orientalis-</i>based nutraceuticals. <i>P. orientalis</i> demonstrates diverse pharmacological activities, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapy and nutraceutical. Future studies should focus on elucidating its mechanisms and optimizing pharmacokinetics in clinical trials to confirm its efficacy and safety<i>.</i></p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 7","pages":"5059 - 5086"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148927701","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): ethnomedicinal heritage, phytochemical richness, and nutraceutical promise in human health","authors":"Prativa Sadhu, Prasenjit Maity, Sanghita Paria, Dipak Chetia, Rana Datta, D. Nandini","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10259-1","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10259-1","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Black pepper (<i>Piper nigrum</i> L.), commonly known as the “King of Spices,” has long been an integral part of global cuisine and traditional medicine systems, including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and Unani. Beyond its culinary significance, modern research highlights <i>P. nigrum</i> as a rich reservoir of bioactive compounds—most notably piperine, along with diverse alkaloids, terpenes, and phenolic constituents—offering multiple health-promoting effects. This review presents a critical synthesis of <i>P. nigrum</i>’s ethnomedicinal legacy, phytochemical diversity, and pharmacological attributes, with an emphasis on its emerging nutraceutical and functional food applications. Mechanistic insights reveal its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, neuroprotective, and metabolic regulatory activities, mediated through modulation of oxidative stress pathways (e.g., Nrf2, NF-κB), neurotransmitter regulation, and enzyme inhibition. Piperine’s role as a bioavailability enhancer further positions it as a potent nutraceutical adjuvant capable of improving the pharmacokinetic profile of co-administered drugs and nutrients. This review also explores translational perspectives, including the incorporation of <i>P. nigrum</i> extracts and piperine into dietary supplements, encapsulation systems, and synergistic formulations. By bridging ethnobotanical wisdom with molecular pharmacology, this paper underscores <i>P. nigrum</i> as a promising candidate for the development of next-generation nutraceuticals.</p><h3>Graphical Abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4449 - 4463"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782051","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rafael C. Matos, Ana Flavia A. Bitencourt, Vanessa R. Prado, Alexsandro D. M. Oliveira, Renes R. Machado, Marina Scopel
{"title":"The genus Pouteria: a review of advances in phytochemical elucidation and its pharmacological properties","authors":"Rafael C. Matos, Ana Flavia A. Bitencourt, Vanessa R. Prado, Alexsandro D. M. Oliveira, Renes R. Machado, Marina Scopel","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10263-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10263-5","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The genus <i>Pouteria</i> (family Sapotaceae) is traditionally used for gastrointestinal, inflammatory, and microbial issues, and has great nutritional applications because of the variety of fruits it contains. Despite its versatile applications, comprehensive research on <i>Pouteria</i> remains outdated, necessitating an integrative review of recent studies exploring its phytochemical evidence and biological activities. An unrestricted search in various databases (Jan/2009 to Aug/2022) focused on the genus “<i>Pouteria</i>”. Despite this genus having 325 recognized species, few studies have evaluated their bioactive potential, including antioxidant, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antinociceptive, as well as their potential for treatment of Alzheimer disease. Regarding phytochemical evaluation, among the few substances isolated were a high number of terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, and others. In addition, owing to the high potential for fruit utilization, several primary metabolites were identified, which presented qualitative and quantitative diversity among species with the interests of the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, this review provides information about phytochemical and pharmacological properties of the species of <i>Pouteria</i>. Given the shallow and incomplete results for several species, there is a demonstrated need for new studies encompassing all plant parts of <i>Pouteria</i> species, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their medicinal potential.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4577 - 4610"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11101-026-10263-5.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Hebatallah M. Saad, Salman A. A. Mohammed, Riaz A. Khan, Ghassan M. Sulaiman, Suliman A. Almahmoud, Ali Z. Al-Saffar, Mohd Masih Uzzaman Khan, Ahmed Ismail
{"title":"Volatile oils as natural approach during pandemics: therapeutic contributions to respiratory health and mechanisms of action as antiviral, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory agents","authors":"Hamdoon A. Mohammed, Hebatallah M. Saad, Salman A. A. Mohammed, Riaz A. Khan, Ghassan M. Sulaiman, Suliman A. Almahmoud, Ali Z. Al-Saffar, Mohd Masih Uzzaman Khan, Ahmed Ismail","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10265-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10265-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Essential oils are complex mixtures of small volatile molecules of various structures, usually of terpenoid (mono- and sesquiterpenes) and phenylpropanoid origin. They are primarily obtained from plants; however, the synthetic production of these volatile mixtures is currently common. This class of natural products has attracted the attention of researchers and has recently become part of medicines and pharmaceutical products. These interests originate from the common use of the essential oils in traditional medicines, their broad biological activities, their accepted flavor, and their physical properties that facilitate their incorporation into the pharmaceutical dosage forms. This review provides details related to the beneficial role of essential oils during pandemic. The idea of this review stems from their reputation as antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-fungal agents. They also have renowned applications to boost the immune system and in controlling colds, coughs, respiratory inflammation, and stress conditions, which commonly occur during pandemic conditions. Therefore, this review aims to explore the therapeutic contributions and mechanisms of action of essential oils in the context of epidemics, focusing on their efficacy against pathogens and their impact on public health.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4649 - 4683"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148781977","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Carolina Previdi Mesquita Barroso, Márcio Barczyszyn Weiss, Samuel Cavalcante Do Amaral, Camila Manoel Crnkovic
{"title":"Cyanobacterial products with applications in health and industry","authors":"Carolina Previdi Mesquita Barroso, Márcio Barczyszyn Weiss, Samuel Cavalcante Do Amaral, Camila Manoel Crnkovic","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10260-8","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10260-8","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Cyanobacteria have emerged as a promising, yet underexplored source of metabolites with applications in nutrition, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This review aims to analyze the current and potential commercial uses of cyanobacterial products in health, focusing on their roles as nutritional supplements, cosmetic ingredients, and in drug development. The literature search was conducted in the PubMed database in line with PRISMA guidelines, including peer-reviewed studies published between 2008 and 2025. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, articles were selected and qualitatively analyzed. Results highlight the nutritional value of cyanobacterial biomass, especially Spirulina, which offers high protein content and clinical benefits such as weight management and immune support. In cosmetics, bioactive compounds like phycocyanin and mycosporine-like amino acids provide antioxidant and photoprotective effects. Pharmaceutical applications include derivatives of the metabolites dolastatin-10 that have reached clinical use in antibody–drug conjugates for cancer treatment, alongside other compounds under investigation. Advances in genomics, metabolomics, and strong academic-industry collaborations have shown to be essential for optimizing production and expanding these applications. Cyanobacteria constitute a versatile and strategic resource for innovation across multiple health-related sectors, with future success depending on the integration of omics-based approaches, biotechnological tools, and sustainable production methods.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3><div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4465 - 4486"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11101-026-10260-8.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148782148","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phytochemical diversity and therapeutic potential of the Polyalthia genus: a comprehensive review","authors":"Phoebe Sussana Primus, Yeun-Mun Choo","doi":"10.1007/s11101-026-10257-3","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11101-026-10257-3","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>The <i>Polyalthia</i> genus is a rich source of bioactive compounds with significant pharmacological potential, exhibiting diverse biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, and antimalarial properties. Notable species, including <i>P. bullata</i>, <i>P. cauliflora</i>, <i>P. debilis</i>, and <i>P. nemoralis</i>, have demonstrated cytotoxic effects, while <i>P. debilis</i>, <i>P. evecta</i>, and <i>P. nemoralis</i> exhibit potent antimalarial activity. Additionally, <i>P. cinnamomea</i>, <i>P. debilis</i>, <i>P. obliqua</i>, and <i>P. stenopetala</i> possess antimicrobial properties, <i>P. suberosa</i> shows anti-HIV activity, and <i>P. stenopetala</i> exhibits neuroprotective effects and acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Phytochemical investigations reveal an abundance of alkaloids, particularly in <i>P. nemoralis</i> and <i>P. cauliflora</i>, as well as acetogenins in <i>P. debilis</i> and <i>P. evecta</i>. Recent taxonomic revisions have led to the reclassification of several <i>Polyalthia</i> species, with <i>P. longifolia</i> and <i>P. lateriflora</i> now placed under <i>Monoon</i>, and <i>P. suaveolens</i> reassigned to <i>Greenwayodendron</i>. Phylogenetic analyses confirm the polyphyletic nature of <i>Polyalthia</i>, necessitating its reorganization while remaining within the Annonaceae family. Currently, the genus comprises 97 species. This review provides a comprehensive compilation of the phytochemical diversity and pharmacological activities of the <i>Polyalthia</i> genus, highlighting its potential for the development of novel therapeutic agents and identifying gaps for future clinical research. However, most findings are based on in vitro and preclinical studies, and further toxicological and clinical investigations are necessary to confirm their therapeutic potential and safety.</p><h3>Graphical abstract</h3>\u0000<div><figure><div><div><picture><source><img></source></picture></div></div></figure></div></div>","PeriodicalId":733,"journal":{"name":"Phytochemistry Reviews","volume":"25 6","pages":"4395 - 4418"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s11101-026-10257-3.pdf","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148781968","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}