Environ Exp Biol (2025) 23: 163–173

Overview of chemical composition, pretreatment and extraction methods of bioactive compounds from Polygonum multiflorum root

Abstract

Polygonum multiflorum Thunb. is a valuable traditional medicinal herb, widely used in Asian countries for treatment and health care. In recent years, this species has attracted research attention not only because of its bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, anthraquinones, and stilbene, but also because of its potential applications in functional foods and pharmaceuticals. This review systematically presents information on the chemical composition, secondary compounds, pretreatment methods, and extraction techniques from P. multiflorum roots. In particular, the article analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and modern extraction methods, the impact of each process on the recovery efficiency, and quality of active compounds. In addition, current limitations and future research directions are also discussed, aiming to provide a scientific basis for optimizing the processing procedure and effectively exploiting the value of P. multiflorum in the food and pharmaceutical industries.