Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss: Traditional uses, chemical constituents, and pharmacological effects

Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss, known as "Zufa" in Uyghur medicine, is a perennial herb endemic to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. It has been traditionally used to treat respiratory conditions like cough and asthma, with its therapeutic effects linked to warming the lungs and reducing inflammation. Rich in bioactive compounds, it holds potential for both ethnopharmacological and food chemistry research.

This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on the traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and quality control of H. cuspidatus. It seeks to assess its ethnopharmacological applications from the perspective of contemporary scientific evidence and to pinpoint research gaps for future exploration.

A review of existing literature on H. cuspidatus was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, X-MOL, Web of Science, Wanfang and CNKI as search tool, and enriched by traditional ethnopharmacological texts and expert insights.

H. cuspidatus, a functional ingredient in food and traditional medicine, was valued for its aromatic and digestion-aiding properties. It contained over 155 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, essential oils, terpenoids, phenylpropanoids, phenolic acids, and sterols. Pharmacological studies confirmed its traditional uses, demonstrating anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitussive effects, as well as antidiabetic and gastroprotective potential. Key bioactive markers like rosmarinic acid and eucalyptol have been identified via HPLC and GC-MS for quality control.

H. cuspidatus valued in Uyghur medicine and culinary traditions, has shown significant potential in food and pharmaceutical applications due to its rich bioactive compounds. However, challenges remain in standardization and full exploitation of its therapeutic potential. Future research should focus on comprehensive evaluation of its bioactivity, safety, and quality control to support its wider application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.