# Aster koraiensis Nakai: Insights into Its Phytoconstituents and Pharmacological Properties **Authors:** Anshul Sharma, Hae-Jeung Lee PMC · DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics18020182 · Pharmaceutics · 2026-01-30 ## TL;DR This paper reviews the medicinal properties and chemical compounds of Aster koraiensis, a Korean plant with potential health benefits. ## Contribution The paper provides the first comprehensive review of A. koraiensis's phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities. ## Key findings - Over 75 phytoconstituents have been identified in A. koraiensis. - The plant exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. - It shows potential for treating diabetes, viral infections, and cognitive decline. ## Abstract Background/Objectives:Aster (A.) koraiensis (Nakai) Kitamura (synonym Gymnaster koraiensis), commonly referred to as Korean starwort, belongs to the composite (Asteraceae) family. This endemic perennial species is cultivated for its long-lasting ornamental flowers and for its young leaves and stems, which serve as a nutritious food source. It grows abundantly across the southern and central regions of the Korean Peninsula, including Jeju Island. The presence of diverse secondary metabolites such as phenolic compounds, polyacetylenes, benzofurans, flavonoids, triperpenoidal saponins, and sesquiterpenoids contributes to its importance in both traditional medicine and modern pharmacology. To date, no comprehensive review has been conducted to summarize its phytoconstituents and pharmacological potential. Methods: A non-systematic electronic search of English-language articles using A. koraiensis and its synonyms as keywords was conducted to assess its bioactive constituents and health-promoting potential. Results: This review seeks to compile and discuss the health-promoting activities of A. koraiensis, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, antithrombotic, anticoagulant, anti-angiogenic, antinociceptive, anti-metabolic syndrome, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and cognitive function-enhancing properties, based on evidence from cell and animal studies. To date, more than 75 phytoconstituents have been purified and characterized from this plant. Conclusions: The extensive pharmacological activities of A. koraiensis highlight its medicinal importance. Future studies should concentrate on the separation, identification, and quantification of its bioactive metabolites, alongside an in-depth investigation of its potential health-enhancing properties. ## Linked entities - **Diseases:** diabetes (MONDO:0005015) - **Species:** Aster koraiensis (taxon 947972) ## Full-text entities - **Genes:** Akr1b10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1, member B10) [NCBI Gene 67861] {aka 2310005E10Rik, Akr1b16}, Ucp3 (uncoupling protein 3 (mitochondrial, proton carrier)) [NCBI Gene 22229] {aka Slc25a9, UCP-3}, PPARA (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha) [NCBI Gene 5465] {aka NR1C1, PPAR, PPAR-alpha, PPARalpha, hPPAR}, Ugt2a1 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide A1) [NCBI Gene 94215], F2 (coagulation factor II) [NCBI Gene 14061] {aka Cf-2, Cf2, FII}, Gsta2 (glutathione S-transferase, alpha 2 (Yc2)) [NCBI Gene 14858] {aka Gst2-2, Gstc-2, Gstc2}, MAPK1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 5594] {aka ERK, ERK-2, ERK2, ERT1, MAPK2, NS13}, Tnf (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 21926] {aka DIF, TNF-a, TNF-alpha, TNFSF2, TNFalpha, Tnfa}, Ucp1 (uncoupling protein 1 (mitochondrial, proton carrier)) [NCBI Gene 22227] {aka Slc25a7, Ucp}, Aifm1 (apoptosis-inducing factor, mitochondrion-associated 1) [NCBI Gene 26926] {aka AIF, AIFsh2, Hq, Pdcd8}, AKR1B10 (aldo-keto reductase family 1 member B10) [NCBI Gene 57016] {aka AKR1B11, AKR1B12, ALDRLn, ARL-1, ARL1, HIS}, Cpt2 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2) [NCBI Gene 12896] {aka CPTII}, MMP9 (matrix metallopeptidase 9) [NCBI Gene 4318] {aka CLG4B, GELB, MANDP2, MMP-9}, FASN (fatty acid synthase) [NCBI Gene 2194] {aka FAS, OA-519, SDR27X1}, UGT1A6 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase family 1 member A6) [NCBI Gene 54578] {aka GNT1, HLUGP, HLUGP1, UDPGT 1-6, UGT-1F, UGT1-06}, Nos2 (nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible) [NCBI Gene 18126] {aka MAC-NOS, NOS-II, Nos-2, Nos2a, i-NOS, iNOS}, NFE2L2 (NFE2 like bZIP transcription factor 2) [NCBI Gene 4780] {aka IMDDHH, NRF2, Nrf-2}, Bcl2 (B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2) [NCBI Gene 12043] {aka Bcl-2, C430015F12Rik, D630044D05Rik, D830018M01Rik}, PRKAA1 (protein kinase AMP-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1) [NCBI Gene 5562] {aka AMPK, AMPK alpha 1, AMPKa1}, Pdk4 (pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, isoenzyme 4) [NCBI Gene 27273], Mapk1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 1) [NCBI Gene 26413] {aka 9030612K14Rik, ERK, Erk2, MAPK2, PRKM2, Prkm1}, Ugt1a6a (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 1 family, polypeptide A6A) [NCBI Gene 94284] {aka UDPGT, UDPGT 1-6, UGT1-06, UGT1.6, Ugt1a6, Ugt1a7}, Srebf1 (sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1) [NCBI Gene 20787] {aka ADD1, SREBP1, bHLHd1}, CYP3A4 (cytochrome P450 family 3 subfamily A member 4) [NCBI Gene 1576] {aka CP33, CP34, CYP3A, CYP3A3, CYPIIIA3, CYPIIIA4}, PLAT (plasminogen activator, tissue type) [NCBI Gene 5327] {aka T-PA, TPA}, Gsta3 (glutathione S-transferase, alpha 3) [NCBI Gene 14859] {aka Gst2-3}, PPARG (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma) [NCBI Gene 5468] {aka CIMT1, FPLD3, GLM1, NR1C3, PPARG1, PPARG2}, HMOX1 (heme oxygenase 1) [NCBI Gene 3162] {aka HMOX1D, HO-1, HSP32, bK286B10}, CPT2 (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2) [NCBI Gene 1376] {aka CPT1, CPTASE, IIAE4}, Ptgs2 (prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2) [NCBI Gene 19225] {aka COX2, Cox-2, PES-2, PGHS-2, PHS II, PHS-2}, Ppara (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha) [NCBI Gene 19013] {aka 4933429D07Rik, Nr1c1, PPAR-alpha, PPARalpha, Ppar}, Ugt2b5 (UDP glucuronosyltransferase 2 family, polypeptide B5) [NCBI Gene 22238] {aka M-1, Udpgt-3, Udpgt2b5, Ugt2b17}, Cebpa (CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha) [NCBI Gene 12606] {aka C/ebpalpha, CBF-A, Cebp}, IFNG (interferon gamma) [NCBI Gene 3458] {aka IFG, IFI, IMD69}, Pnpla2 (patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 2) [NCBI Gene 66853] {aka 0610039C21Rik, 1110001C14Rik, Atgl, TTS-2.2}, F10 (coagulation factor X) [NCBI Gene 2159] {aka FX, FXA}, Ghrl (ghrelin) [NCBI Gene 58991] {aka 2210006E23Rik, Ghr, MTLRP, MTLRPAP, m46}, Prdm16 (PR domain containing 16) [NCBI Gene 70673] {aka 5730557K01Rik, csp1, mel1}, Bcl2 (BCL2, apoptosis regulator) [NCBI Gene 24224] {aka Bcl-2}, Nqo1 (NAD(P)H dehydrogenase, quinone 1) [NCBI Gene 18104] {aka Dia4, Dtd, Nmo-1, Nmo1, Nmor1, Ox-1}, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) [NCBI Gene 7124] {aka DIF, IMD127, TNF-alpha, TNFA, TNFSF2, TNLG1F}, GSR (glutathione-disulfide reductase) [NCBI Gene 2936] {aka CNSHA10, GR, GSRD, HEL-75, HEL-S-122m}, NQO1 (NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1) [NCBI Gene 1728] {aka DHQU, DIA4, DTD, NMOR1, NMORI, QR1}, CEBPA (CCAAT enhancer binding protein alpha) [NCBI Gene 1050] {aka C/EBP-alpha, CEBP}, Bax (BCL2-associated X protein) [NCBI Gene 12028], Pparg (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma) [NCBI Gene 19016] {aka Nr1c3, PPAR-gamma, PPAR-gamma2, PPARgamma, PPARgamma2}, Il1b (interleukin 1 beta) [NCBI Gene 16176] {aka IL-1beta, Il-1b}, Lipe (lipase E, hormone sensitive type) [NCBI Gene 16890] {aka 4933403G17Rik, HSL, REH}, Tmprss2 (transmembrane protease, serine 2) [NCBI Gene 50528] {aka D16Ertd61e}, Parp1 (poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase family, member 1) [NCBI Gene 11545] {aka 5830444G22Rik, ARTD1, Adprp, Adprt1, PARP, PPOL}, Ocln (occludin) [NCBI Gene 18260] {aka Ocl}, Pck1 (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1, cytosolic) [NCBI Gene 18534] {aka PEPCK, PEPCK-C, Pck-1}, Acc (anterior capsular cataract) [NCBI Gene 104371], Cat (catalase) [NCBI Gene 12359] {aka 2210418N07, Cas-1, Cas1, Cs-1}, Nfe2l2 (nuclear factor, erythroid derived 2, like 2) [NCBI Gene 18024] {aka Nrf2}, CYP4F3 (cytochrome P450 family 4 subfamily F member 3) [NCBI Gene 4051] {aka CPF3, CYP4F, CYPIVF3, LTB4H}, Dntt (deoxynucleotidyltransferase, terminal) [NCBI Gene 21673] {aka Tdt}, BAX (BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator) [NCBI Gene 581] {aka BCL2L4}, Th (tyrosine hydroxylase) [NCBI Gene 21823], IL1B (interleukin 1 beta) [NCBI Gene 3553] {aka IL-1, IL1-BETA, IL1F2, IL1beta} - **Diseases:** carcinogens (MESH:D011230), leukemia (MESH:D007938), viral infections (MESH:D014777), colon cancer (MESH:D015179), atherosclerosis (MESH:D050197), Thrombotic disorders (MESH:D013927), albuminuria (MESH:D000419), Dry eye disease (MESH:D015352), cytotoxic (MESH:D064420), venom (MESH:D000092422), nociceptive (MESH:D059226), insulin resistance (MESH:D007333), neurocognitive disorder (MESH:D019965), cardiovascular disease (MESH:D002318), retinal injury (MESH:D012173), diabetic retinopathy (MESH:D003930), peripheral sensory neuropathy (MESH:D010523), glaucoma (MESH:D005901), liver disorders (MESH:D017093), neuronal (MESH:D009410), T2D (MESH:D003924), cognitive impairment (MESH:D003072), chronic diseases (MESH:D002908), pertussis (MESH:D014917), diabetic nephropathy (MESH:D003928), atopic dermatitis (MESH:D003876), pain (MESH:D010146), corneal disease (MESH:D003316), PD (MESH:D010300), neurodegenerative disease (MESH:D019636), hepatocyte injury (MESH:D014947), liver disease (MESH:D008107), Inflammation (MESH:D007249), peripheral vascular disease (MESH:D016491), hyperglycemia (MESH:D006943), Anti-Metabolic Syndrome (MESH:D024821), age-related macular degeneration (MESH:D008268), skin disruption (MESH:D019958), kidney failure (MESH:D051437), AD (MESH:D000544), irritation (MESH:D001523), NAFLD (MESH:D065626), neurotoxicity (MESH:D020258), chronic bronchitis (MESH:D029481), DM (MESH:D003920), Cancer (MESH:D009369), retinopathy (MESH:D058437), stroke (MESH:D020521), pneumonia (MESH:D011014), fatty liver disease (MESH:D005234), retinopathy of prematurity (MESH:D012178), obese (MESH:D009765), bleeding (MESH:D006470), blindness (MESH:D001766), non-small cell lung cancer (MESH:D002289), itching (MESH:D011537), metabolic disorder (MESH:D008659), neuroblastoma (MESH:D009447), pulmonary thromboembolism (MESH:D011655), hyperactivity (MESH:D006948) - **Chemicals:** hexane (MESH:D006586), TG (MESH:D013866), 3,5-DCQA (MESH:C100434), n-butanol (MESH:D020001), 3-methyladenine (MESH:C025946), GKB (-), propidium iodide (MESH:D011419), ethyl acetate (MESH:C007650), H2O2 (MESH:D006861), 2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl) amino]-2-deoxy-D-glucose (MESH:C098340), Donepezil (MESH:D000077265), NO (MESH:D009614), GSSG (MESH:D019803), H-D-Phe-Pip-Arg-pNA (MESH:C021129), triterpenoids (MESH:D014315), Polyacetylenes (MESH:D000078789), fatty acid (MESH:D005227), malondialdehyde (MESH:D008315), scopolamine (MESH:D012601), dexamethasone (MESH:D003907), dUTP (MESH:C027078), isoquercitrin (MESH:C016527), 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (MESH:D015056), MPTP (MESH:D015632), LPS (MESH:D008070), Yohimbine (MESH:D015016), lipid (MESH:D008055), sesquiterpenoid (MESH:D012717), methysergide (MESH:D008784), polyphenol (MESH:D059808), GSH (MESH:D005978), alpha-spinasterol (MESH:C031312), naloxone (MESH:D009270), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (MESH:C473200), Chlorogenic acid (MESH:D002726), glucose (MESH:D005947), formalin (MESH:D005557), flavonoid (MESH:D005419), 1-(3,4-dihydroxycinnamoyl) cyclopentane-2, 3-diol (MESH:C513458), EE (MESH:D004997), Gymnasterkoreayne B (MESH:C579347), CA (MESH:D002118), ROS (MESH:D017382), saponins (MESH:D012503), dopamine (MESH:D004298), C8 (MESH:C037690), butanol (MESH:D000440), OA (MESH:D019319), sodium nitroprusside (MESH:D009599), gymnasterkoreaside A (MESH:C468048), sugar (MESH:D000073893), n-hexane (MESH:C026385), PI (MESH:D010716), oxygen (MESH:D010100), acetaminophen (MESH:D000082), TC (MESH:D013667), gallic acid (MESH:D005707), AOM (MESH:D001397), fat (MESH:D005223), quinone compound (MESH:D011809) - **Species:** Aster tataricus (species) [taxon 588669], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Aster pseudoglehnii (species) [taxon 1544655], Rattus norvegicus (brown rat, species) [taxon 10116], Aster (genus) [taxon 41479], Almidae sp. Ke (species) [taxon 1046270], Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (no rank) [taxon 2697049], Aster koraiensis (species) [taxon 947972] - **Cell lines:** HEK293 — Homo sapiens (Human), Transformed cell line (CVCL_0045), HaCaT — Homo sapiens (Human), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0038), ARPE-19 — Homo sapiens (Human), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0145), RGC-5 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Transformed cell line (CVCL_4059), L1210 tumor — Mus musculus (Mouse), Mouse leukemia, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0382), SH-SY5Y — Homo sapiens (Human), Neuroblastoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0019), BV2 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Transformed cell line (CVCL_0182), HepG2 — Homo sapiens (Human), Hepatoblastoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0027), 3T3-L1 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0123), JB6 Cl41 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Spontaneously immortalized cell line (CVCL_0362), RAW 264.7 — Mus musculus (Mouse), Mouse leukemia, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0493), NHDF — Homo sapiens (Human), Induced pluripotent stem cell (CVCL_A3XU), H1299 — Homo sapiens (Human), Lung large cell carcinoma, Cancer cell line (CVCL_0060), Spike — Mus musculus (Mouse), Hybridoma (CVCL_A7AC), retinal ganglion cells — Homo sapiens (Human), Transformed cell line (CVCL_B5WJ) ## Full text _Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944608/full.md ## Figures 3 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944608/full.md ## References 87 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944608/full.md --- Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12944608