A review of traditional uses, phytoconstituents, bioactivities, and therapeutic potential of Hypecoum erectum L. and Hypecoum leptocarpum Hook.f. & Thomson.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Hypecoi Erecti Herba, derived from plants of the genus Hypecoum (Papaveraceae), includes two source species: Hypecoum leptocarpum Hook.f. & Thomson and Hypecoum erectum L. It is widely distributed across northern, northwestern, and southwestern China, Mongolia, Russia, and many South and West Asian countries. In traditional medical systems, particularly Tibetan and Mongolian medicine, it is characterized by a bitter taste and cold property, and has been extensively used to treat sore throat, tracheitis, cholecystitis, cough, hepatitis, bronchitis, and joint pain. AIM OF THE STUDY: This review aims to systematically consolidate the latest research progress on Hypecoi Erecti Herba, encompassing its traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, quality control, and clinical applications. Furthermore, it seeks to discuss the clinical translation of hospital-based preparations and propose novel hypotheses regarding its potential mechanisms of action. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted focusing on H. leptocarpum and H. erectum. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, the American Chemical Society (ACS), and Science Direct were searched, resulting in the identification and screening of 94 relevant papers published between 1972 and November 19, 2025. RESULTS: Pharmacological studies have demonstrated that Hypecoi Erecti Herba possesses a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiviral, antitumor, and allelopathic effects. Through various analytical techniques, such as column chromatography (CC) for isolation, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy, and infrared (IR) spectroscopy for characterization, approximately 90 alkaloids have been identified from this herb. The herb contains not only alkaloids but also flavonoids, volatile oils, phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, and aromatic constituents, for which quality control markers, including flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, and trace elements, have been established. Furthermore, based on network pharmacology, we speculate that active components in Hypecoi Erecti Herba may exert therapeutic effects against pharyngitis and cholecystitis by modulating the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, potentially through the regulation of the "Heta" and "Khi" balance in the body. CONCLUSIONS: This review provides a comprehensive and systematic synthesis of current knowledge on Hypecoi Erecti Herba, covering its botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, mechanisms, and quality control. To advance the field, future work should focus on constructing a bencao-based knowledge graph, applying Blocks-Based Molecular Network (BBMN) technology, integrating Syndrome-Formula Metabolomics with artificial intelligence, adopting electronic sensory systems for quality assessment, and deepening research into habitat ecology and resource sustainability. These integrated efforts will be crucial for unlocking the herb's full medicinal potential, ensuring its sustainable utilization, and contributing to the broader ethnopharmacological literature.