Ethnobotanical properties and traditional uses of medicinal plant Abutilon theophrasti Medik

Abstract

Plants have been an important and elementary root age of healthcare over the globe from time immemorial. Multifactorial health beneficial activity of these plants has been attributed to multipotent antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, antiulcerative and antidiabetic compounds known as secondary metabolites or bioactive principles. According to World Health Organization, 70-80% population of India and Ethiopia depend on traditional medicine which includes herbs. Approximately 60% currently available anticancerous drugs have been isolated from medicinal plants; in addition more than 3000 medicinal plants possessing anticancer properties have been reported worldwide. The global incidence of plant-derived compounds used for cancer treatment is from 10% to 40% which increases up to 50% in Asiatic patients. Along with medicinal value, plants also have commercial value because of many attributions like providing fibre, giving oil, aesthetics, etc. Family Malvaceae comprises many such plants with both medicinal as well as commercial value. Abutilon theophrasti Medik is one, quantitative short day herbaceous, annual, seen as a weed, provides fibre, and treats disease like chest infections, urethritis, toothache, piles, gonorrhoea and haemorrhagic diseases. Also it works as anthelmintic, laxative, demulcent and diuretic. In southern and south-eastern European countries, Abutilon theophrasti is widely established in agricultural areas. For example, in northern Italy, the species was known for centuries; however, the first reported infestation of fields was in 1969, and since then the species has become a troublesome weed.