Grasses as an immense source of pharmacologically active medicinal properties: An overview

Abstract

Grasses are ubiquitous herbs/plants belonging to various families such as- Poaceae/Gramineae, Cyperaceae and Juncaceae. Grasses are important for humans as well as animals. Crop and forage grasses are used as food and feed for human and livestock, respectively. These are also used as garden ornamentals, to control soil erosion, for commercial purposes and for medicinal purposes. Some of the grasses are the rich sources of metabolites such as proteins, carbohydrates, mineral constituents, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids, amino acids, albuminoids, volatile compounds, fragrant oil, vitamins, saponins, tannins etc. Traditionally, grasses were used as medicines to treat various ailments such as cancer, cough, cramps, diarrhea, dysentery, epilepsy, headache, hemorrhage, hypertension, measles, stones, urogenital disorders, warts, wounds, etc. Grasses show various pharmacological properties such as anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-malarial, anti- ,protozoan, anti-mutagenicity and anti-oxidant properties. This review provides a first comprehensive report on therapeutic properties, biological effects, pharmacological activities, secondary metabolites, and commercial uses of grasses.