Garciniahanburyi Hook.f.(Guttiferae)，a tropical plant found in India,Thailand，Vietnam，Cambodiaand Malaysia，has been widely cultivated in Guangdong，Guangxi，Yunnan and Hainan Provinces of China.Gamboge，the dry resin of Garciniahanburyi，has been used as a folk medicine for detoxification，homeostasis and anti-inflammation and as a parasiticide for a long history.In recent years,gamboge and its active ingredients like gambogic acid have shown potent anti-tumor activity，which has become a hotspot in anticancer drug research.This review focuses on the traditional medicinal history of gamboge and the studies of pharmacological activities，as well as the mechanisms of the bioactive compounds from gamboge.