Abstract: Tricyclic diterpenoid abietic acid is a major component of abietic and has a wide range of applications in industry. Recent studies have shown that rosin acid and its derivatives have antitumor, antiviral and antibacterial biological activities. In this paper, the research progress of the biological activity, structure-activity relationship and structure modification of rosin acid and its derivatives are reviewed in order to provide new ideas for the development of rosin acid as a medicine.