Abstract

Genus Hosta is comprised of about forty species, with a world-wide distribution. The plants of genus Hosta are the rich resources of steroidal saponins and amaryllidaceae alkaloids, and some species are important medical plants and traditionally used to treat various diseases, including mastitis, otitis media, pharyngolaryngitis, urethritis, dysmenorrhea and snake bites etc. However, the studies on Hosta were mostly focused on their ornamental values. In the present review, an attempt has been made to compile all the available information regarding the chemical constituents (mainly steroidal saponins, amaryllidaceae alkaloids and flavonoids) and biological activities of genus Hosta, and provides new insights for future study on genus Hosta.

Key words: Hosta, chemical constituents, biological activities, review.