REVIEW article
Front. Pharmacol.
Sec. Ethnopharmacology
The "Habitat-Phytochemistry-Pharmacological Effect(HPPE)" Nexus: A Multidimensional Review of Ethnomedicinal Salvia in China
Provisionally accepted
琳琳 赵
Xing Yang*
Sijing Su
Jihang Xie
Qian ZhangHouyu SenJiaxin LiXianzhe LiMingkun Meng
Ting WangTingting YanTong XuYi Zhang- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Background: Salvia L. is a key medicinal genus in China's ethnic medical systems. The link between ecological adaptation, especially in high-altitude species, and their specific ethnomedicinal value requires systematic study. Objective: To test the hypothesis that altitudinal gradients drive chemical differentiation underpinning distinct pharmacological uses, we developed a "habitat-phytochemistry-pharmacological effect" linkage model. Methods: A multidimensional analysis of 32 ethnomedicinal Salvia species integrated literature review, GBIF-verified altitudinal distributions, phenological data from the Flora of China, and phytochemical profiling via HMDB/PubChem. Results: Used by 17 ethnic groups primarily for cardiovascular/cerebrovascular diseases, gynecological disorders, and wound healing, these species align with the traditional principles of "activating blood circulation to resolve stasis" and "clearing heat and detoxifying." Ecological divergence was evident: low-altitude (spring-flowering) species, used by Miao and Zhuang communities, are flavonoid-rich, while high-altitude (summer-flowering) species, prevalent in Tibetan medicine, accumulate more phenolic acids—an adaptive response to intense UV radiation. Functional compartmentalization occurred: roots accumulate lipophilic diterpenoid quinones (antitumor, antiplatelet) and hydrophilic phenolic acids (antioxidant, antifibrotic), while aerial parts are rich in flavonoids (antibacterial, antitussive) and triterpenoids (immunomodulatory). Broad bioactivities (anticancer, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective) are mediated by terpenoids, phenolic acids, and polysaccharides via multiple pathways. Traditional efficacy correlates with molecular mechanisms: "activating blood circulation" aligns with diterpenoid quinone-mediated antitumor activity, and "clearing heat and detoxifying" with phenolic acid-driven anti-inflammatory effects. Conclusion: This study validates the proposed model, demonstrating a strong correlation between the ethnomedicinal value of Salvia species and their ecological traits, phytochemistry, and pharmacology. The model provides a framework for ethnopharmacology-guided discovery, with future work needed on the mechanism of action of key constituents and pharmacological validation of traditional uses.
Keywords: China, Ethnomedicine, Habitat-phytochemistry-pharmacological effect, multidimensional, Salvia
Received: 01 Oct 2025; Accepted: 26 Jan 2026.
Copyright: © 2026 赵, Yang, Su, Xie, Zhang, Sen, Li, Li, Meng, Wang, Yan, Xu and Zhang. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) or licensor are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
* Correspondence: Xing Yang
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