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

Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskriftReviewForskningfagfællebedømt

  • Consolata Nanjala
  • Wyclif Ochieng Odago
  • Peninah Cheptoo Rono
  • Emmanuel Nyongesa Waswa
  • Elizabeth Syowai Mutinda
  • Millicent Akinyi Oulo
  • Felix Wambua Muema
  • Vincent Okelo Wanga
  • Elijah Mbandi Mkala
  • Josiah Kuja
  • Moses Mucugi Njire
  • Guang Wan Hu

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.

OriginalsprogEngelsk
Artikelnummer115404
TidsskriftJournal of Ethnopharmacology
Vol/bind295
Antal sider25
ISSN0378-8741
DOI
StatusUdgivet - 2022

Bibliografisk note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [ 31961143026 ], National Science & Technology Fundamental Resources Investigation Program of China [2019FY101800], and Sino-Africa Joint Research Center, CAS [ SAJC202101 ]. We also thank Yusuf Hamza Hassan for his valuable suggestions.

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 Elsevier B.V.

ID: 312375871