The review summarizes information from the literature on the distribution, study of the composition and biological activity of metabolites, total extracts of plants of the genus Arctium L. of the world flora. In Russia, the roots of three species are allowed to be harvested and used: A. lappa, A. tomentosum, A. minus. To date, the most studied composition of metabolites and pharmacological properties of great burdock. The chemical composition of A. atlanticum, A. debrayi, A. leiobardanum, A. neumani, A. platylepis, A. pseudarctium, A. sardaimionense, A. scanicum, A. nemorosum and A. palladini has not been studied. About 360 substances related to polysaccharides, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, fatty acids, phenolcarbonic acids, tannins, vitamins, lignans, sterols, polyacetylenes, amino acids, alkaloids, flavonoids, macro-and microelements and other were isolated and identified from the studied species. There are only a few publications about pharmacological activity of Arctium nemorosum, A. palladini, A. tomentosum and A. minus, and there is no information for other types. Total extracts and individual compounds of the studied burdock species in the experiment have a wide range of pharmacological activity. The information provided in the review shows that plants of the genus Arctium L., are promising for creating effective medicines. In addition, the fragmentation and lack of information on the composition of metabolites, pharmacological activity of most species of the genus burdock opens up great opportunities for researchers.