To summarize the research progress of chemical structures and biological activities of Buxus alkaloids

which are rich in plants of genus Buxus and provide useful references for the further research. Literature about Buxus alkaloids between 1992 to 2011 in plenty of journals and books were referred to

and the progress of chemical structures and biological activities were summarized. Since 1992

more than 100 alkaloids have been isolated from 8 kinds of plants of genus Buxus. Many researches suggested some of Buxus alkaloids exhibit biological activities including anti-HIV activity

antibacterial

antimycobacterial

antimalarial

antitumor

and inhibitory activities against acetylcholinesterase(AChE)

butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST). There are more than 70 kinds of plants of genus Buxus all over the world

but only a minority of them has been studied at present. And little research about biological activities of Buxus alkaloids have been reported.In order to develop the medicinal application of the genus of plants

chemical constituents together with pharmacological activities and mechanism should be conducted. Meanwhile

the biological effects and the medical value compounds will be clarified.