Anemone sensu lato (Ranunculaceae): ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential

OBJECTIVES: To synthesize current knowledge of the taxonomy, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential of Anemone sensu lato, including lineages historically treated as Pulsatilla and Hepatica, and assess its relevance to natural-product and drug-discovery research. METHODS: Literature in Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, PubMed, and Google Scholar was reviewed through March 2026. Scientific names and synonymy were verified using the International Plant Names Index and World Flora Online. KEY FINDINGS: Anemone taxa are traditionally used for inflammatory, infectious, painful, and wound-related conditions and contain abundant triterpenoid saponins, alongside flavonoids, phenolic acids, lactone derivatives, and minor metabolites. Triterpenoid saponins are the predominant bioactive class and are associated with antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and tissue-protective effects in preclinical models. Reported mechanisms involve oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, apoptosis-related pathways, and proliferative signaling. Translation remains limited by taxonomic ambiguity, interspecific chemical variability, insufficient extract standardization, incomplete pharmacokinetic characterization, and inadequate toxicity assessment. CONCLUSIONS: Anemone taxa are promising sources of pharmacologically relevant natural products. Rigorous species authentication, standardized phytochemical profiling, harmonized safety evaluation, and clinically relevant models are required before therapeutic development can be advanced.