Gynostemma pentaphyllum is a medicinal and edible plant belonging to the genus Gynostemma of the family Cucurbitaceae and has a long history of medicinal use. Its dried aerial parts are used medicinally. G. pentaphyllum is rich in various active components such as saponins, flavonoids and polysaccharides, and exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as lipid-regulating and hepatoprotective effects, adjuvant effects in cancer treatment, and amelioration of atherosclerosis.. This review systematically summarizes the research status and progress of marketed drugs containing G. pentaphyllum as the principal medicinal ingredient, with a focus on their pharmacological effects, basic research, clinical application and quality standards. It aims to provide theoretical support for the popularization, application and further development of G. pentaphyllum in clinical medicine, promote the development of the G. pentaphyllum industry towards standardization, modernization and internationalization, and support the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine.

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino  /  medicinal and edible plant  /  quality standards  /  secondary development  /  lipid regulation  /  hepatoprotection