槟榔是常用的中药材，在古方中被广泛应用。其原产于马来西亚，在我国海南、台湾等亚热带地区均有栽培。槟榔的主要化学成分有生物碱、酚类、氨基酸、多糖、矿物质、粗纤维、油脂和维生素等，在临床上不仅可用于杀虫，还可以治疗各种肠道疾病、关节炎和青光眼等病症，用药人群主要是儿童和老人。槟榔的主要药理活性成分是槟榔碱，但文献报道槟榔碱不但可以直接致癌和促癌，还能使机体免疫力下降，间接增加致癌概率，然而在临床实践中，槟榔与其他药材配伍使用时，常规剂量下没有致癌副作用的报道。为此，本文对近年来槟榔化学成分和药理作用及临床应用的研究进展进行综述，以期为槟榔的科学开发和安全合理使用提供参考。

As a commonly used medicinal material, Areca catechu is widely used in prescriptions. It is native to Malaysia and is cultivated mainly in subtropical regions of China such as Hainan and Taiwan. The main chemical components of Areca catechu are alkaloids, phenols, amino acids, polysaccharides, minerals, crude fiber, grease and vitamins, etc. In the clinical practice, Areca catechu is not only used as insecticides, but also on various intestinal diseases, arthritis, glaucoma and other diseases. Areca catechu medications are mostly used for children and the elderly. The main pharmacological activity compound of areca catechu is arecoline, but it’s reported that arecoline can not only cause cancer, promote cancer, but also reduce the body"s immunity and increase the probability of carcinogenesis. However, in clinical practice, Areca catechu is used in combination preparations, and there are no reports of carcinogenic side effects of Areca catechu when it is used with other medicines at regular doses. This article reviews the chemical constituents, pharmacology and research progress in clinical application of Areca catechu, and provides reference for the scientific development and safe and rational use of Areca catechu.