Cressa cretica Pharmacognosy, and Pharmacology (A review)

Abstract

Cressa cretica (Shuwwayl) is a halophytic that belongs to Convolvulaceae, naturally grown in the Middle East including Iraq. Traditionally the plant is used as a paste for sore treatment, also it is used for fever, jaundice, and other illness. Regarding nonclinical use it is used as goat, sheep, and camel feed also as an oil source. Flavonoids including quercetin, kamepferol, apigenin, and their glycosides, phenolic acid as chlorogenic acid, and phytosterols mainly β–sitosterol were the most important phytochemicals that were detected in this halophyte. Crude ethanolic, methanolic extracts and ethyl acetate fraction of the areal parts were used in clinical studies and demonstrated various effects as hepatoprotective, cytotoxic, and genotoxic effect. In molecular docking studies, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid showed antiviral effect vs SARS-CoV-2 (sever acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2). The purpose of this review was to clarify and discuss all aspects regarding Cressa cretica.