Phytochemical and Traditional uses on Acanthus ilicifolius (L)

Abstract

Acanthus ilicifolius is a spiny herb found in mangrove of southern Thailand. It is also widely distributed in India and other tropical regions of Asia. The plant is reported to contain phytochemicals including alkaloid and wide range of glucosides  (lignan and phenylethanoid). In traditional medicine, the plant is used in the treatment of diseases ranging from snake bite to skin diseases. A. ilicifolius (sea holly) occurs in tropical Asia and Africa, through Malaya to Polynesia. It is a vine shrub or tall herb, up to 1.5 m high, scarcely woody, bushy, with very dense growth. Common names of which are holy leaved acanthus, sea holly and holy mangrove. A. ilicifoliusis abundantly available in freshwater ecosystem of Pichavaram mangroves located in southeast coast of India. The review analyses traditional medicinal usage, and phytochemical  investigations done on the A. ilicifoliusis medicinal plant.