A Comprehensive Review of Phytochemical Constituents and Biological Activities of Stauntonia hexaphylla (Thunb.) Decne

Abstract Background Stauntonia hexaphylla (Thunb.) Decne. is a medicinal plant widely distributed in Korea, Japan, and China, where it has long been used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments. Although numerous studies have investigated its phytochemical constituents and pharmacological potential, a comprehensive review summarizing the current knowledge on its botany, phytochemical constituents, and biological activities is still lacking. Objective This review provides a comprehensive summary of the phytochemical constituents, botanical characteristics, distribution, and pharmacological activities reported for S. hexaphylla. Methods Relevant literature was collected from several electronic databases, including Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, and ScienceDirect. The keywords used in the search strategy included “Stauntonia hexaphylla (Thunb.) Decne,” “Stauntonia hexaphylla,” “S. hexaphylla,” “phytochemical constituents,” “botanical characteristics,” “distribution,” and “biological activities”. Results To date, 115 secondary metabolites have been identified from this plant, including 25 triterpenoids (1–25), 47 saponins (26–72), 21 flavonoids (73–93), 14 phenolic compounds (94–107), 3 lignans (108–110), and 5 other compounds (111–115). Pharmacological investigations have revealed diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic effects, anti-prostatic hyperplasia, antidepressant, anti-fatigue, anti-postmenopausal, anti-alopecia, and antidiabetic effects. Conclusion The findings highlight the rich phytochemical diversity and broad pharmacological potential of S. hexaphylla, supporting its continued investigation as a valuable medicinal resource and a promising source of bioactive compounds. Highlights A total of 115 secondary metabolites have been identified from S. hexaphylla, with saponins representing the major phytochemical constituents. The plant also exhibits diverse biological activities, particularly notable anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoporotic effects.