Ethnobotanical, phytochemical and pharmacological potential of cycas revoluta thunb - A review

Abstract

Cycas revoluta Thunb. or sago palm is an important species of cycads, endemically found in Japan, especially in southern Japan throughout the Ryukyu Island. The species is of massive ethnobotanical significance and used at large by the poor people and population of hilly areas in famine condition. It is mainly valued for its starch contains and used as fiber to construct cloth and ropes. It shows several pharmacological activities since different parts of this plant contain several chemicals like glycosides, amino acids, flavonoids, fatty acids and lectins. The aim of the present review is to compile all the informations available related to taxonomy, ethnobotany, chemical constituents and their pharmacological activities to explore the importance of C. revoluta.