TY - JOUR

T1 - A review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the genus Didymocarpus wall. (Gesneriaceae)

AU - Nanjala, Consolata

AU - Odago, Wyclif Ochieng

AU - Rono, Peninah Cheptoo

AU - Waswa, Emmanuel Nyongesa

AU - Mutinda, Elizabeth Syowai

AU - Oulo, Millicent Akinyi

AU - Muema, Felix Wambua

AU - Wanga, Vincent Okelo

AU - Mkala, Elijah Mbandi

AU - Kuja, Josiah

AU - Njire, Moses Mucugi

AU - Hu, Guang Wan

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier B.V.

PY - 2022

Y1 - 2022

N2 - Ethnopharmacological relevance: Medicinal plants have been extensively used to treat various illnesses since the dawn of civilization. The genus Didymorcapus Wall. comprises 100 species widely distributed in the tropical regions of Asia, with a few found scattered in Africa and Australia. Species in this genus have long been used in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including wounds, kidney stones, inflammations, asthma, flu, eczema, dysentery, fractures, colic etc. Some species have applications as weight loss agents, laxatives, and protective medication after childbirth. Aim: To provide comprehensive information on the current knowledge of the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical compounds, pharmacological applications, and toxicology of genus Didymocarpus to reveal its therapeutic potential, offering insights into future research opportunities. Materials and methods: Data were systematically obtained from books and online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Sci Finder, Google Scholar, Science direct, ACS Publications, Elsevier, Wiley Online Library. Results: Seventeen Didymocarpus species have applications in traditional medicine in different Asian countries. A total of 166 compounds have been isolated from the genus Didymocarpus including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, chalcones, steroids, and others. Among these constituents, terpenoids, flavonoids, chalcones, and phenolics are the significant contributors to pharmacological activities of the genus Didymocarpus, possessing wide-reaching biological activities both in vivo and in vitro. The crude extracts and isolated phytochemical compounds from this genus have been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including antiurolithiatic, nephro-protective, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, wound healing, and antioxidant activities. Conclusions: Traditional uses and scientific evaluation of Didymocarpus indicate that Didymocarpus pedicellata is one of the most widely used species in some parts of the world. Although substantial progress on the chemical and pharmacological properties of Didymocarpus species has been made, further studies on the pharmacology and toxicology of these species are needed to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality. Also, further research on the structure-activity relationship of some of the isolated phytocompounds may improve their biological potency and scientific exploitation of traditional uses of the Didymocarpus taxa.

AB - Ethnopharmacological relevance: Medicinal plants have been extensively used to treat various illnesses since the dawn of civilization. The genus Didymorcapus Wall. comprises 100 species widely distributed in the tropical regions of Asia, with a few found scattered in Africa and Australia. Species in this genus have long been used in folk medicine to treat various illnesses, including wounds, kidney stones, inflammations, asthma, flu, eczema, dysentery, fractures, colic etc. Some species have applications as weight loss agents, laxatives, and protective medication after childbirth. Aim: To provide comprehensive information on the current knowledge of the ethnobotanical uses, phytochemical compounds, pharmacological applications, and toxicology of genus Didymocarpus to reveal its therapeutic potential, offering insights into future research opportunities. Materials and methods: Data were systematically obtained from books and online databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Sci Finder, Google Scholar, Science direct, ACS Publications, Elsevier, Wiley Online Library. Results: Seventeen Didymocarpus species have applications in traditional medicine in different Asian countries. A total of 166 compounds have been isolated from the genus Didymocarpus including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, chalcones, steroids, and others. Among these constituents, terpenoids, flavonoids, chalcones, and phenolics are the significant contributors to pharmacological activities of the genus Didymocarpus, possessing wide-reaching biological activities both in vivo and in vitro. The crude extracts and isolated phytochemical compounds from this genus have been shown to exhibit various pharmacological activities, including antiurolithiatic, nephro-protective, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, wound healing, and antioxidant activities. Conclusions: Traditional uses and scientific evaluation of Didymocarpus indicate that Didymocarpus pedicellata is one of the most widely used species in some parts of the world. Although substantial progress on the chemical and pharmacological properties of Didymocarpus species has been made, further studies on the pharmacology and toxicology of these species are needed to ensure safety, efficacy, and quality. Also, further research on the structure-activity relationship of some of the isolated phytocompounds may improve their biological potency and scientific exploitation of traditional uses of the Didymocarpus taxa.

KW - Didymocarpus

KW - Ethnobotany

KW - Pharmacology

KW - Phytochemistry

KW - Toxicology

U2 - 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115404

DO - 10.1016/j.jep.2022.115404

M3 - Review

C2 - 35643208

AN - SCOPUS:85131565631

VL - 295

JO - Journal of Ethnopharmacology

JF - Journal of Ethnopharmacology

SN - 0378-8741

M1 - 115404

ER -