Therapeutic, Phytochemicals and Pharmacological Perspectives of Anisochilus carnosus: A Review
S.M.L. Pramodika
Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
A.T. Herath *
Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Anisochilus carnosus, commonly referred to as, ‘Thicked leaved Lavender’, is a member of the Lamiaceae family and is a widely recognized medicinal plant used in several traditional medicine systems, particularly in South and Southeast Asia. This review highlights the presence of several paramount phytochemicals, including steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, anthraquinones, phenols, saponins, tannins, and phytosterols, which underpin their significant therapeutic attributes. Additional important phytoconstituents that enhance its medicinal properties include stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, pyrrolidine alkaloid, luteolin, apigenin, ursolic acid, corosolic acid, 24-hydroxy corosolic acid, maslinic acid, and 3β, 7β, 24-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic acid. Pharmacological research has shown the varied therapeutic effects of A. carnosus, including anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties, attributed to its rich array of bioactive phytoconstituents. Given these observations, this review aims to consolidate the existing knowledge and offers a detailed account of the taxonomical, phytochemical, and comparative pharmacological attributes of A. carnosus and provides valuable insights for future research and the potential development of innovative therapeutic agents.
Keywords: Anisochilus carnosus, therapeutic, phytochemicals, pharmacological, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant