Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivity of Akebia Species

Species of the genus Akebia, long valued in East Asian herbal traditions, have attracted growing scientific interest for their rich assemblage of secondary metabolites and associated health‐promoting properties. Detailed phytochemical analyses reveal that triterpenoid saponins constitute the most abundant class of bioactive compounds, accompanied by diverse flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides and unsaturated fatty acids. Organ‐specific profiling has demonstrated that stems and roots are particularly enriched in unique saponin profiles, whereas fruits and leaves contribute substantial levels of phenolic glycosides and antioxidant flavonoids. These constituents underpin a spectrum of in vitro and in vivo activities, including free‐radical scavenging, enzyme inhibition (such as α-glucosidase and cholinesterases), antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as modulation of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and cardiovascular protective actions. Advances in chromatographic separation and mass-spectrometric techniques have refined our understanding of compound distributions and structure–activity relationships, paving the way for novel applications in nutraceutical development, functional foods and cosmeceuticals. The integration of genetic and biotechnological approaches further supports sustainable exploitation and breeding of Akebia species as emerging forest crops with both economic and therapeutic value.

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Phytochemical Composition and Bioactivity of Akebia Species publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in phytochemical composition and bioactivity of akebia species across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Triterpenoid saponins: Glycosylated secondary metabolites composed of triterpene aglycones linked to sugar moieties, notable for surfactant properties and versatile bioactivities.

Flavonoids: Polyphenolic compounds characterised by a 15-carbon skeleton forming two aromatic rings, widely recognised for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

High-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC): A planar chromatographic technique enabling rapid separation and bioactivity screening of complex mixtures on a solid support.

UHPLC-TOF-MS/MS: Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry, providing high‐resolution analysis of compound masses and structural fragments.

References

1. Akebia fruit: A review on its extraction, phytochemicals, bioactivities and applications. eFood (2024).
2. Effect-Directed Profiling of Akebia quinata and Clitoria ternatea via High-Performance Thin-Layer Chromatography, Planar Assays and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry. Molecules (2023).
3. Bioactive Phytochemicals Isolated from Akebia quinata Enhances Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion by Inducing PDX-1. Plants (2020).
4. The Akebia Genus as a Novel Forest Crop: A Review of Its Genetic Resources, Nutritional Components, Biosynthesis, and Biological Studies. Frontiers in Plant Science (2022).
5. Phenolic Profile and Fingerprint Analysis of Akebia quinata Leaves Extract with Endothelial Protective Activity. Molecules (2022).