Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f.: A comprehensive review on phytochemical, pharmacological and tissue-specific distribution of active components.

Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f. (Celastraceae family) is a well-recognized medicinal plant valued for its structurally diverse and pharmacologically active specialized metabolites, particularly dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids and macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids. These compounds exhibit a broad range of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects, with promising potential in the treatment of neuroinflammatory conditions. This review provides a systematic overview of the phytochemical composition and pharmacological properties of T. wilfordii, with a particular emphasis on the tissue-specific distribution of dihydro-β-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids and macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids across various plant parts and among related genera within the Celastraceae family. These compounds not only demonstrate notable bioactivity but also serve as distinctive chemotaxonomic markers. The findings underscore that compound-enriched tissues may provide novel insights for in-depth phytochemical exploration and the development of potential therapeutics.