Advances on Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical, and Preclinical Studies of Strobilanthes crispus and Strobilanthes cusia (Acanthaceae) for Drug Development Purpose: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Plants of the genus Strobilanthes are one of the most widespread vegetation in Southeast Asia. More than 100 metabolites, including alkaloids, fatty acids and derivatives, flavonoids and flavonoid glycosides, phenolic acids, sterols, and terpenoids, have been identified from these plants. The scope of this review, which covers ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and preclinical aspects of Strobilanthes crispus and Strobilanthes cusia (Acanthaceae), is limited to articles published between 2015 and 2025. It confirms that these plants are still being investigated globally, with the most reported in numerous in vitro and in vivo studies on the leaves. Considering the noteworthy findings of the in vitro and in vivo studies, which mainly point to S. crispus, this plant may be established as a plant-based antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, or hypoglycemic agent, which may be attributed to its indolo-quinazoline alkaloid and flavonoids. Despite promising pharmacological evidence, there are limited human studies during the selected publication period. However, several articles have described ethnopharmacological surveys of medicinal plants in China, Malaysia, and Thailand, which documented the folkloric use of these two plants. It should be taken to notice that the lack of human studies requires further clinical trials to validate pharmacological activity, efficacy, and safety, and confirm its potential as a therapeutic agent.