Index the literatures in CNKI and ScienceDirect databases from 1992 to 2011 choosing titles or keywords as ‘Scrophularia’ or ‘iridoid’. Up to now

iridoids in plants of Scrophularia L. reported home and abroad has increased from 27 in 1999 to 83 at present. Iridoid compounds are the main active ingredients of Scrophularia L.

however

there is little systemic classification and summary on them. This paper sums up the chemical structure

the main bio-activity and the distribution of iridoids according to the research in Scrophularia L. over the last 20 years

hoping to give references for the further research and development of Scrophularia L.