Medicine-Food Homologous Plantago L. in Gastrointestinal Health and Disease: A Review

Abstract

Plantago L. (PL) is a notable genus of medicine-food homologous (MFH) plants, with its primary medicinal components comprising the entire plant and its seeds, which are frequently employed as culinary ingredients. PL is abundant in various bioactive compounds and demonstrates anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and intestinal barrier-protective properties. Furthermore, PL exhibits a dual regulatory effect on both constipation and diarrhea. As a plant resource with a global distribution, PL holds significant promise for the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases. Nonprescription drugs containing psyllium husk are approved by the FDA for short-term relief of constipation. Other ingredients from PL also possess significant clinical values in anti-inflammatory effects, intestinal barrier protection, and regulation of microbiota protection; however, they have not yet been effectively developed. Current research on PL faces several challenges, including insufficient resource investigation and development, unsystematic characterization of chemical components, and unclear elucidation of the mechanisms underlying its gastrointestinal protective biological activity. These issues seriously hinder the clinical and food resource development of PL. This review systematically elucidates the distribution, medicinal history, food development potential, and multifaceted functions of PL in promoting gastrointestinal health, thereby providing valuable insights for clinical applications and the development of food products derived from MFH.