KAFUR (C. CAMPHORA L.)–AN UPDATED REVIEW OF ITS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY

Abstract

The objective of present review was to provide comprehensive information on Cinnamomum camphora L. on its ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical, and pharmacological activities and provide insights into potential opportunities for future research. A thorough literature search was done to gather all the available updates on Kafūr for its mizāj (temperament), medicinal properties, and traditional uses. Classical Unani books and books on ethnomedicine and ethnobotany in English were referred for literature review. The information on phytochemical and pharmacological activities of C. camphora was collected from PubMed, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Research Gate using keywords C. camphora, Kafūr, kapur, and camphor. The species name was checked with www. theplantlist. org. The material published in Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and English was included in the review. C. camphora is used as an analgesic and antiseptic in Unani and other traditional systems of medicine for a long. It possesses various bioactive compounds viz. terpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, fatty acids, lignans, alkaloids, etc. Out of all these, camphor is one of the volatile compounds which has many pharmacological activities including anti-nociceptive, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, wound healing, and hepatoprotective.