Abstract

Catalpol is one of the most abundant naturally occurring iridoids. Catalpol appears to possess many excellent biological and pharmacological activities as shown in recent investigations. In this paper, the bioactivities together with its physicochemical properties, natural occurrence, distribution, isolation, determination, biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics and some bioactivities of its derivatives were systemically reviewed. A perspective on future research interest and application was also provided.

Keywords: Bioactivity, biosynthesis, catalpol, derivative, determination, distribution, isolation.