Abstract: OBJECTIVE To introduce the pharmacological activity research of corilagin, a polyphenolic tannin. METHODS Make a summary of both national and overseas data about pharmacological activities of corilagin. RESULTS Corilagin has multiformity of pharmacological activitiy, including antitumor, antioxidative, antiatherogenic, thrombolytic, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antiviral, antibacterial and antiinflammatory effects. CONCLUSION Due to its pharmaceutical value and profound prospect, corilagin deserves an in-depth and further exploitation.