Wu Yuzhuo, Wang Xuan, Wang Chao, Ma Xiaochi
Pharmaceutical Research Center｜Second Affiliated Hospital, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China.
School of Pharmacy, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China.
Mol Nutr Food Res. 2025 Aug;69(16):e70100. doi: 10.1002/mnfr.70100. Epub 2025 Jun 24.
Plantago L. (PL) is a notable genus of medicine-food homologous (MFH) plants, with its primary medicinal components comprising the entire plant and its seeds, which are frequently employed as culinary ingredients. PL is abundant in various bioactive compounds and demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and intestinal barrier-protective properties. Furthermore, PL exhibits a dual regulatory effect on both constipation and diarrhea. As a plant resource with a global distribution, PL holds significant promise for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Nonprescription drugs containing psyllium husk are approved by the FDA for short-term relief of constipation. Other ingredients from PL also possess significant clinical values in anti-inflammatory effects, intestinal barrier protection, and regulation of microbiota protection; however, they have not yet been effectively developed. Current research on PL faces several challenges, including insufficient resource investigation and development, unsystematic characterization of chemical components, and unclear elucidation of the mechanisms underlying its gastrointestinal protective biological activity. These issues seriously hinder the clinical and food resource development of PL. This review systematically elucidates the distribution, medicinal history, food development potential, and multifaceted functions of PL in promoting gastrointestinal health, thereby providing valuable insights for clinical applications and the development of food products derived from MFH.
车前属（Plantago L.，PL）是一类著名的药食同源植物，其主要药用成分包括全株及其种子，这些成分常被用作烹饪原料。PL富含多种生物活性化合物，具有抗炎、抗氧化和保护肠道屏障的特性。此外，PL对便秘和腹泻均具有双重调节作用。作为一种全球分布的植物资源，PL在预防和治疗胃肠道疾病方面具有巨大潜力。含有洋车前子壳的非处方药已获美国食品药品监督管理局（FDA）批准，可用于短期缓解便秘。PL的其他成分在抗炎、保护肠道屏障和调节微生物群保护方面也具有重要的临床价值；然而，它们尚未得到有效开发。目前对PL的研究面临若干挑战，包括资源调查与开发不足、化学成分表征不系统以及其胃肠道保护生物活性的潜在机制阐释不清。这些问题严重阻碍了PL的临床和食品资源开发。本综述系统地阐明了PL在促进胃肠道健康方面的分布、药用历史、食品开发潜力和多方面功能，从而为临床应用和药食同源食品的开发提供有价值的见解。
