Abstract: In recent years, with rapid advances in chlorogenic acid (CGA) research, it has become widely used in medicine, the chemical industry and health care products, with the potential for broad application. CGA is a water-soluble phenolic natural product and is extensively distributed in a variety of plants. Numerous studies have shown that CGA has strong biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, antitumor, antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulatory activities. This review summarizes the pharmacological effects as well as the underlying mechanisms of CGA, providing an important theoretical basis for further research on CGA drug targets and potential mechanisms.