The Traditional Uses, Nutrition, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology of the Medicinal Abrus Species: A Comprehensive Review

ABSTRACT The genus Abrus Adans. (Fabaceae), widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, includes four medicinally important species in China with significant therapeutic potential. Notably, Abrus precatorius L. has been traditionally used to treat headaches, wind‐phlegm disorders, and carbuncles. Abrus cantoniensis Hance and Abrus mollis Hance are valued in ethnomedicine as hepatoprotective agents, whereas Abrus pulchellus Wall. ex Thwaites shows confirmed medicinal properties. Beyond their therapeutic applications, Abrus species are valued as nutraceutical resources, traditionally prepared as beverages, teas, or functional soups in dietotherapy. However, their widespread utilization is constrained by the presence of toxic compounds such as abrin and pulchellin. Phytochemical analyses have identified numerous bioactive constituents in these plants, including flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoid saponins, organic acids, amino acids, and aliphatic compounds. These compounds exhibit multifaceted pharmacological effects, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antitumor, and hepatoprotective effects. This review systematically examines the traditional uses, nutritional value, phytochemical composition, pharmacological properties, and toxicity profiles of medicinal Abrus species in China, providing up‐to‐date information on their therapeutic potential.