Ilex cornuta: A review of botany, quality control, phytochemistry, and multimodal pharmacological actions

Ilex cornuta (I. cornuta), commonly known as Chinese holly, is a plant in the Aquifoliaceae family. Its dried leaves, called "Kuding tea," have been used as an herbal drink for over 2000 years. The earliest recorded use of I. cornuta appears in the Ben Cao Shi Yi by Chen Cangqi in the Tang Dynasty, where its bark was steeped in wine to make a medicinal liquor that tonifies the liver and kidneys and helps relieve weakness and fatigue in the lower back and limbs. The leaves and branches have traditionally been used to treat hemoptysis caused by pulmonary tuberculosis, endocrine issues, and metabolic problems. Modern herbal medicines like "Hua Mo Yan Capsule," "Feng Tong Pill," and "Qing Shen Yin Granule" feature I. cornuta as a main ingredient.

This article offers a comprehensive overview of I. cornuta, highlighting its traditional applications, botanical features, quality control and identification methods, chemical makeup, and pharmacokinetics. The goal is to compile current research developments and promote further investigation of its medicinal potential.

Relevant literature was retrieved using "Ilex cornuta" as the main search term across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, X-mol, SciFinder, SCI-HUB, CNKI, Google Scholar, classical Chinese medical texts, and the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China (2025 edition).

To date, 205 compounds have been identified in I. cornuta, with triterpenoids (82), flavonoids (15) and volatile compounds (87) constituting the predominant bioactive constituents. I. cornuta shows various pharmacological activities, such as promoting bone remodeling, regulating systemic metabolism, exerting anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting bacteria, and protecting cardiomyocytes. Notably, it has therapeutic potential in metabolic disorders like non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, obesity, and hyperuricemia. Mechanistic studies suggest that I. cornuta influences metabolic pathways through MAPK, AMPK, and PPARγ/ADRP signaling pathways.

This review systematically summarises research progress on I. cornuta, focusing on the pharmacology and pharmacokinetics of its active components, especially their roles in bone healing and metabolic regulation. However, in vivo and clinical studies are still limited. Future research should emphasize pharmacokinetic profiling to strengthen the basis for clinical applications and new drug development.