A Review on Ethnobiological & Medicinal Potential of Capparaceae Family Plant: Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew

Abstract

Rajasthan state is rich in flora of xerophytic plants. Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. is a wild bushy plant found in hot arid regions. This plant has wide range of distribution in many parts of India. Ethnobiologically, this plant is useful as its various parts like immature flower buds, semi-mature fruits, young shoots with small leaves are pickled for use as a condiment and traditional people use this plant in treating ailments like digestive diseases, anodyne, sudorific, constipation, gout, cough, flu, dropsy, palsy, asthma, and intestinal worms, lumbago, odontalgia. Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. contains chemical compounds like alkaloids, flavanoids, terpenoids, phenolic compounds, steroids, vitamins, quarternary ammonium compounds and many more phytoconstituents that are responsible for its medicinal value. Different parts of this plant like seed, root, stem, flowers, fruits and leaves have medicinal importance and has shown numerous pharmacological activities like antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anthelmintic, antidiabetic, antisebum, antihyperlipidemic, antisclerotic, antitermite, antiplaque, analgesic, sedative and anticonvulsant. Economic importance of this plant has tended for harvesting, yield and marketing specifically in Thar Desert. Future potential of this crop is very promising as it is a drought and heat tolerant plant which makes it a good weather forecasting species; also it provides people with food (pickle & vegetable), fodder, wood and fuel. The presence of numerous phytoconstituents makes it a medicinally important crop for treating deadly diseases. This review covers taxonomy, distribution, phytochemicals, and nutritional value, and commercial value, traditional and pharmacological aspects of Capparis decidua (Forssk.) Edgew.