Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia

doi:10.1007/s13659-026-00614-2

Natural Products and Bioprospecting ›› 2026, Vol. 16 ›› Issue (5): 67-67.DOI: 10.1007/s13659-026-00614-2

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Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia

Yifei Jiang^1,2, Xiaozhuan Jia^1,3, Zhenzhong Yang^1,3,4

1. Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China;
2. Department of Biomedical Informatics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore;
3. Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China;
4. State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China

Received:2025-12-25 Accepted:2026-02-23 Online:2026-10-08
Supported by:
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82361138570), Key Scientific Research Program of Hangzhou (No. 2025SZD2B04), Huadong Medicine Joint Funds of the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. LHDMZ22H280001), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 226-2024-00001).

Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia

Yifei Jiang^1,2, Xiaozhuan Jia^1,3, Zhenzhong Yang^1,3,4

1. Pharmaceutical Informatics Institute, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China;
2. Department of Biomedical Informatics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 119228, Singapore;
3. Innovation Institute for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310018, China;
4. State Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Modernization, College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China

通讯作者: Zhenzhong Yang,E-mail:yangzz@zju.edu.cn
基金资助:
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82361138570), Key Scientific Research Program of Hangzhou (No. 2025SZD2B04), Huadong Medicine Joint Funds of the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China (No. LHDMZ22H280001), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 226-2024-00001).

Abstract

Abstract: Medicinal plants have long served as an important asset in the treatment of diseases. Recent developments in computer science have enabled the rise of specialized databases cataloging medicinal plant knowledge. However, a systematic comparison of available region-specific medicinal plant databases is lacking. This review summarizes globally available medicinal plant databases that focus on specific geographical regions, aiming to inspire and guide people from specialists to the general public toward fostering innovation and making informed decisions. Through a systematic search of literature and digital resources, 81 regional medicinal plant databases established or updated between 2013 and 2025 were identified. From this pool, 40 core platforms were subjected to detailed statistical characterization regarding their data categories and volume. Our analysis reveals a geographical concentration in Asia (48.1%), dominated by China and India, alongside a notable proliferation of universal databases with a global scope. These databases facilitate critical applications in drug discovery, quality control, biodiversity conservation, and policy-making. By identifying current research gaps and emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary standardization, this review serves as a strategic roadmap for bridging traditional wisdom with modern therapeutic innovation.

Key words: Medicinal plants, Database, Geographical distribution, Natural products, Traditional medicine, Phytochemical information

摘要： Medicinal plants have long served as an important asset in the treatment of diseases. Recent developments in computer science have enabled the rise of specialized databases cataloging medicinal plant knowledge. However, a systematic comparison of available region-specific medicinal plant databases is lacking. This review summarizes globally available medicinal plant databases that focus on specific geographical regions, aiming to inspire and guide people from specialists to the general public toward fostering innovation and making informed decisions. Through a systematic search of literature and digital resources, 81 regional medicinal plant databases established or updated between 2013 and 2025 were identified. From this pool, 40 core platforms were subjected to detailed statistical characterization regarding their data categories and volume. Our analysis reveals a geographical concentration in Asia (48.1%), dominated by China and India, alongside a notable proliferation of universal databases with a global scope. These databases facilitate critical applications in drug discovery, quality control, biodiversity conservation, and policy-making. By identifying current research gaps and emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary standardization, this review serves as a strategic roadmap for bridging traditional wisdom with modern therapeutic innovation.

关键词: Medicinal plants, Database, Geographical distribution, Natural products, Traditional medicine, Phytochemical information

Yifei Jiang, Xiaozhuan Jia, Zhenzhong Yang. Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia[J]. Natural Products and Bioprospecting, 2026, 16(5): 67-67.

Yifei Jiang, Xiaozhuan Jia, Zhenzhong Yang. Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia[J]. 应用天然产物, 2026, 16(5): 67-67.

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Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia

Exploring the global mosaic of medicinal plant databases: unveiling nature’s pharmacopoeia

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