Research progress on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, pharmacological action, and applications of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall: a review.

This article provides a comprehensive review of Engelhardia roxburghiana Wall (ErW), a plant of the Juglandaceae family widely distributed in tropical and subtropical Asia, focusing on its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology. ErW leaves are primarily used in traditional medicine and as herbal teas (e.g., Luo Han tea), with documented applications in managing heat, pain, dampness, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders. Phytochemical investigations have identified 56 compounds, predominantly flavonoids such as astilbin and engeletin, along with triterpenoids, steroids, quinones, and essential oils. Pharmacological studies demonstrate ErW’s diverse bioactivities, including hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anticancer, antitubercular, and antibacterial effects, supporting its traditional medicinal uses. Toxicological evaluations indicate that ErW leaves and key constituents like astilbin exhibit low toxicity and no genotoxicity, suggesting safety for consumption; however, further research on quality control, pharmacokinetics, and clinical efficacy is recommended to advance its therapeutic development.