[Progress in research on Pedicularis plants].

Pedicularis comprises about 300 species in China and hemiparasite is its most important characteristic. Many compounds have been isolated from the genus, including phenylpropanoids, iridoids, flavonoids and so on. Among them, some showed antioxidative, antitumor, antifatigue, repairing DNA and antidiabetic activities. This review summarized hemiparasite, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities on Pedicularis plants. The aim was to provide information for the further study of Pedicularis.