Botanical, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Applications of Genus Heracleum: A Review

The genus Heracleum belongs to the Apiaceae family and is widely distributed across the Northern Hemisphere, predominantly in Eurasia, with approximately 70 species recorded globally. This genus possesses abundant medicinal resources and has a long history of use in traditional medicine, commonly employed to treat various conditions such as inflammation, gastrointestinal bloating, and stomach pain. In recent years, researchers worldwide have isolated and identified numerous chemical constituents from this genus, with coumarin derivatives emerging as the primary bioactive compounds. These exhibit diverse pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and antioxidant effects. Moreover, the novel and complex coumarin oligomers (dimers to tetramers) such as canditririn A (trimer) and canditetrarin B (tetramer) with unique cage-like structures present in these plants hold significant promise for medicinal development. This review systematically summarizes the botanical characteristics, chemical constituents, pharmacological activities, and applications of Heracleum species, aiming to provide references for further exploration of their therapeutic value and research development.