Patchouli alcohol (PA), a tricyclic sesquiterpene, is a dominant bioactive component in oil extracted from the aerial parts of Pogostemon cablin (patchouli). Diverse beneficial activities have been reported, including anti-influenza virus, anti-depressant, anti-nociceptive, vasorelaxation, lung protection, brain protection, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-colitis, pre-biotic-like, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and protective activities against metabolic diseases. However, detailed mechanistic studies are required to explore the possibility of developing PA as a functional food material or promising drug for the prevention and treatment of human diseases. This review highlights multiple molecular targets and working mechanisms by which PA mediates health benefits.

广cho香醇（PA）是一种三环倍半萜烯，是从Pogostemon cablin（广cho香）的空中部分提取的油中的主要生物活性成分。已经报道了多种有益的活性，包括抗流感病毒，抗抑郁剂，抗伤害性，血管舒张，肺保护，脑保护，抗溃疡，抗结肠炎，益生元样，抗炎，抗癌以及针对代谢性疾病的保护性活动。但是，需要进行详细的机理研究，以探索将PA用作预防和治疗人类疾病的功能性食品材料或有前途的药物的可能性。这篇综述重点介绍了PA介导健康益处的多种分子靶标和工作机制。