Article: PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF JUSTICIA PROCUMBENS L.: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.1105167

Pages: 190-193

Author: Amritha C. K.*, Suma C., Ananya V. M., Thushara P.V., Deepak V. S.

Abstract: Justicia procumbens L. is usually known as water willow which belongs to family Acanthaceae growing widely in southern regions of China, Japan, Vietnam, India and Australia. It is one of the important herbal being used in Ayurvedic system of medicine. The plant contains various active compounds like arylnaphthalide and diarylbutane lignans, glycosides, flavonoids. Few pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-arrhythmic, anti-asthmatic, anti-proliferative, anti-allergic, antibacterial, cytotoxic and anti-HIV activities activity have been reported for this plant. Conventionally, it is used for the treatment of fever, inflammation, cold, cough, asthma, cancer, snake bites etc. The current review is created with an intended to focus on the numerous ethnobotanical and traditional uses as well as the phytochemical and pharmacological report on Justicia procumbens.

Keyword: Justicia procumbens L., Acanthaceae, water willow, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology