Abstract: Hawthorn（Crataegus spp.）is rich in phenolic compounds，including procyanidins，C-glycosyl flavones，flavonols and their glycosides，anthocyanins and phenolic acids，etc. Fruits are predominated by procyanidins，whereas C-glycosyl flavones，flavonols and their glycosides are mainly found in leaves. The phenolic compounds in hawthorn have shown various bioactivities such as antioxidant，cardioprotective，hypolipidaemic，anti-inflammatory，and anti-tumor effects，etc. In this paper，the distribution profiles，dynamic changes，detection methods of phenolic compounds in hawthorn as well as their bioactivities are reviewed with the objective of providing better understanding of current research on the health-promoting properties of hawthorn，which may eventually facilitate the development of hawthorn industry.

Key words: hawthorn, phenolic compounds, bioactivities