Dianthi herba contains diverse natural compounds that may explain its broad antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities.
This review synthesised published evidence on the botanical identity and geographic distribution of Dianthi herba, its traditional medicinal uses, chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, toxicology, and clinical applications. It considered material derived from two Dianthus species and catalogued the major classes of compounds isolated from the dried aerial plant parts.
The reviewed evidence identifies triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids, and volatile oil constituents as the principal chemical groups in Dianthi herba. These constituents were associated with antiviral, anticancer, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects, supporting the plant’s historical medicinal use and suggesting that its activity may arise from multiple chemically distinct components.
