Research Progress on the Insecticidal‐Antibacterial Property and Planting Application of Functional Plant Cnidium monnieri in China

Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson is a species of Umbelliferae plants, and it is one of China's traditional medicinal herbs, widely distributing in China owing to its strong adaptability in fields. In this article, the research progress on the taxonomy, distribution, cultivation techniques, active components and the analysis methods, antibacterial and insecticidal properties, and ecological applications of C. monnieri were reviewed. The main active components in C. monnieri are coumarins (mainly osthole) and volatile compounds, exhibiting multiple pharmacological activities, e.g., anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immune-regulating effects. Some modern analytical techniques (e.g., HPLC, GC-MS, and UPLC-QTOF-MS) have enabled more precise detection and quality control of these chemical components in C. monnieri. The specific active constituents in C. monnieri (e.g., coumarins and volatile components) exhibite significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic fungi and insect pests. Simultaneously, the resources provided during its flowering stage (e.g., pollen and nectar) and the specific volatiles it releases can attract natural enemies, such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies, thereby enhancing ecological control of insect pests in farmland through a "push-pull" strategy. Additionally, C. monnieri has the ability to accumulate heavy metals, e.g., Zn and Cu, indicating its potentially valuable for ecological restoration in agroecosystem. Overall, C. monnieri has medicinal, ecological, and economic values. Future research should focus on regulating the active component synthesis, understanding ecological mechanisms, and developing standardized cultivation systems to enhance its application in modernized traditional Chinese medicine and green agriculture production.