Wang, N. and Wang, S. and Cai, S. and Yu, B. and Lan, W. (2026) An updated review on the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential of the genus Caragana. Biochemical Systematics and Ecology, 124: 105165.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
The genus Caragana, comprising species native to arid and semi-arid regions of Asia and Europe, plays a vital role in agricultural systems. These plants significantly contribute to environmental conservation by mitigating wind-induced soil erosion and stabilizing sand dunes. Additionally, Caragana species are employed as green manure to improve soil nutrient and improve water retention. Due to their high nutritional value, they are also considered as promising functional additives in both human and animal diets. In China, Caragana has a long-standing history of use in various traditional medicinal systems, including Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as Miao, Tibetan, and Mongolian ethnomedicine. Moreover, traditional herbal practices in countries such as Korea and Pakistan also incorporate these plants. Phytochemical investigations of Caragana species have led to the identification of over 300 distinct compounds including flavonoids, terpenoids, stilbenoids, long-chain compounds, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, steroids, and other bioactive constituents. Flavonoids, terpenoids, and stilbenoids represent the most abundant classes, with numerous members exhibiting a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities. In particular, the structural diversity and broad biological effects of stilbenoids derived from Caragana have garnered increasing research interest in recent years. Pharmacological studies have evaluated crude extracts from at least 16 Caragana species and over 60 isolated compounds, revealing notable bioactivities such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, neuroprotective, anticancer, hypoglycemic, cardioprotective, and gastrointestinal protective effects. These findings highlight the potential of Caragana species as valuable sources for drug discovery and development. This review provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the agricultural applications, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological properties of the Caragana genus, aiming to facilitate future research and the broader utilization of these economically and medicinally important plants.