Article: PHARMACOLOGICAL VERSATILITY OF JUSTICIA PROCUMBENS: A REVIEW

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.156204

Pages: 117-122

Author: Sunil M, Bhushan Khombare, Devraj Chavan, Naveen M, Shivaraj Hiremath, Shubham Teli, Chandrashekhar VM, Mallappa Shalavadi *

Abstract: Justicia procumbens L. a perennial herb belonging to the Acanthaceae family, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries to treat various ailments. The plant has been found to possess a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-platelet aggregation, anti-retro viral disease (RVD), antiasthmatic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-diabetic, antihelminthic, antiplasmodial, antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. For instance, DW2008, an ethanol extract of Justicia procumbens, demonstrated effective anti-asthmatic properties in mouse models. The plant's extracts have also been shown to exhibit cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines, including bladder, colorectal, leukemia and liver cancers, indicating its potential as an anti-cancer agent. Additionally, the plant has been found to possess fungicide and insecticide properties, making it a potential natural pesticide. The phytochemical analysis of Justicia procumbens has revealed the presence of lignans (primary bioactive compound), flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds, which are responsible for its diverse pharmacological properties. Anti-platelet aggregation studies reveal that aryl naphthalene lignans from Justicia procumbens inhibit platelet aggregation by modulating key signaling pathways, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for thrombotic diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the phytochemical and pharmacological investigations of Justicia procumbens, highlighting its potential as a source of novel therapeutic agents for various diseases. Further research is warranted to fully exploit the plant's therapeutic potential and to develop evidence-based remedies for human health.

Keyword: Justicia procumbens, Acanthaceae, Aryl naphthalene lignans, Pharmacological properties, Novel therapeutic agents, Traditional medicine