Ethnobotany and Medicinal Uses of Folklore Medicinal Plants Belonging to Family Acanthaceae: An Updated Review

Abstract

Acanthaceae is a large family of dicotyledonous flowering plants including about 4300 species and 346 genera all over the world. Most are tropical shrubs, herbs and twining vines while some are epiphytes. There is increasing interest about the indigenous medicinal plants for correct identification, taxonomy and medicinal properties. Chemically it contained some important secondary metabolites such as glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenoids, fatty acid methyl esters and fatty acids. These compounds play an important role in many biological reactions and work against many lethal diseases. Leaves, roots and other parts are used as anti-pyrietic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antiseptic and antidiabetic. Some other important plants belong to this family are used to treat skin diseases, cough, eye infections, wounds, pneumonia, anti-diarrhea, edema etc. There are only a few examples that underline importance of family Acanthaceae. This medical importance attracted the researchers to explore the various aspects of this family. The medicinal role and significance of the family can hardly be overemphasized. The present review highlights some key features of some important genus of this important plant family and also describes its various conventional and new novel uses in our daily life. By keeping these points the present study will be useful for further research and clinical trials in future study of some new important plant species belong to this important family.