ABSTRACT
To review the research progress in the chemical constituents from the husks of Xanthoceras sorbifolia and their biological activities for the first time. After a detailed investigation on the literatures at home and abroad, we had found that the primary chemical constituents from the husks of X. sorbifolia were triterpenoids and polyphenols (such as flavonoids, phenolic acids, coumarins etc), sterols, alkaloids, and so on. The biological activities of the chemical constituents from the husks of X. sorbifolia showed mainly as improving the ability of learning and memory, anticancer effects, inhibition on tyrosinase, curing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and inhibiting pancreatic lipase activity. Xanthoceraside is a primary triterpenoid saponin purified from the husks of X. sorbifolia, with highest content and a variety of biological activities. The husks as the waste of the oil-extracting from X. sorbifolia, this paper provides the references for further understanding and utilization of the medicinal values in the husks of X. sorbifolia.