Abstract: Most plants of Elaeagnus genus were widely used as folk medicines, and their fruits are edible. This review summarized the research progress of the chemical constituents of Elaeagnus plants and their biological activities. The main chemical constituents isolated from Elaeagnus plants, such as flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, alkaloids, lignans and other compounds, were described in detail. The various activities of the compounds or the extracts such as antioxidant, antibacterial, pesticidal activities, etc, were introduced.Finally, the development potential of Elaeagnus plants in the fields of functional food, health care products and pharmaceuticals were summarized. Further research on their chemical constituents and bioactivities were proposed. And this review could provide reference for the rational use of Elaeagnus plants.