The Latin specific epithet officinalis refers to plants which have some medicinal or culinary use - in this case the edible berries.

[9] The chemical constituents isolated from the fruit (Corni fructus) have protective effects on beta cells in vitro,[10][11] and may control postprandial hyperglycemia by alpha-glucosidase inhibition.

[12] Cornel iridoid glycoside, a chemical extracted from Cornus officinalis, promoted neurogenesis and angiogenesis and improved neurological function after ischemia in rats.

[13] Morroniside, the most abundant iridoid glycoside extracted from Cornus officinalis, substantially reduces osteophyte formation and subchondral sclerosis in mice models.

Specifically, morroniside significantly promotes cartilage matrix synthesis by increasing collagen type II expression and suppressing chondrocyte pyroptosis.