Bioactive potentials and mechanisms of okanin and its glucoside marein: an up-to-date review

Okanin and its glucoside marein emerge as structurally unique chalcones with multi-target therapeutic potential against metabolic, inflammatory, and degenerative pathologies. We synthesized three decades of research to delineate their phytochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, diverse bioactivities, and molecular mechanisms. Despite significant preclinical advances, key translational challenges persist-particularly unpredictable pharmacokinetic profiles, underexplored structure-activity relationships, and methodological heterogeneity in bioactivity assessment. By integrating technical innovations with mechanistic insights, this review outlines a roadmap for translating these compounds into next-generation therapeutics toward precision medicine.