A Comprehensive Review on Genus Zygophyllum

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to make a broad review of the chemical constituents and biological activities of genus Zygophyllum. Methods: This review covers the peer reviewed articles between 1977 and August, 2018, retrieved from PubMed, Science Direct, Sci-Hub, Springer and Wikipedia Results: In traditional medicine, plants of genus Zygophyllum have been employed and utilized as anti-rheumatic, anti-gout, antidiabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antihypertensive, antiseptic, anti-eczema and antidiarrheal. Zygophyllum species have been phytochemically studied leading to the identification of various classes of compounds including triterpenes, flavonoids, saponins, sterols, simple phenolic compounds, and esters. Biological studies on Zygophyllum species have also indicated various bioactive potentials including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial antitumor and anti-inflammatory effects. The reported medicinal Zygophyllum species were selected and summarized on basis of their; geographical distribution, traditional uses, chemical constituents and biological activities. Conclusion: It would therefore be important to extensively investigate their phytochemicals and pharmacologically determine their activities for future drug discovery and development.