Abstract: Plant polyprenols, which have similar structure and biological activity to dolichols in human body, are lipids of polymer with isoprenyl units. However, dolichols are key carriers in biosynthesis process of glycosyl derivatives with protein. The structure types, HPLC analysis, structural identification, spectral characteristics, pharmacology and clinical application of plant polyprenols were mainly introduced in this paper. According to present problems in processing of Ginkgo biloba L. leaves in China, it is suggested to mainly study the new bioactive components of polyprenols in G. biloba L. and promote the development of plant polyprenols from G. biloba L. as health care products and drug.

Key words: plant polyprenols, physicochemical properties, pharmacological activities, drug development