ABSTRACT-The genus Impatiens (Compositae) was reviewed for its chemical constituents and biological significance and its traditional uses. The genus has been known for its various biological activities like: antimicrobial activity, antioxidant activity, antiallergic activity, antipruritic activity, antidermatitic activity, transcriptional activity, anti-rheumatoid arthritis activity, anti-histamine activity, testosterone 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitory activity and anti platelet activating activity. Most of the plants of this genus are rich sources of napthoquinones, flanonoids, glycosides and sapogenins. The bioactive constituents or plants extracts may be uses for treatment of various diseases and these would be used as a new formulation for the novel drugs discovery in pharmaceutical industries. This review presents comprehensive information on the chemistry and pharmacology of the genus together with the traditional uses of many of its plants. In addition, this review discusses the structure-activity relationship of different compounds as well as recent developments and the scope for future research in this aspect.

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RESUMO: "Estudos farmacognósticos de plantas importantes de zonas áridas". A zona árida de Rajasthan, Índia, é importante pela grande diversidade e especificidade de plantas endêmicas de importância econômica e medicinal. Destas, três plantas de zonas áridas, Gisekia pharnaceoides L., Gisekiaceae, Sericostoma pauciflorum Stocks ex Wight, Boraginaceae, e Trianthema decandra L., Aizoaceae, que são tradicionalmente utilizados para diversas doenças (hepatite, asma, icterícia, infecções da pele etc.), foram selecionados para o estudo. Neste trabalho trabalho, a avaliação farmacognóstica detalhada destas espécies, através de estudo morfoanatômico, determinações físico-químicas e parâmetros fitoquímicos, foram realizados. As características morfológicas podem ser utilizados para rápida identificação das drogas, particularmente no caso de materiais em pó, e possivelmente ajudar a diferenciar a droga de outras espécies.Unitermos: Plantas de zona árida, Gisekia pharnaceoides, Sericostoma pauciflorum, Trianthema decandra, avaliação farmacognóstica.ABSTRACT: Arid zone of Rajasthan, India, has its own importance, great diversity and specific characteristic with respect to endemic and large number of plants of economic importance and medicinal use. Out of these, three arid zone plants Gisekia pharnaceoides L., Gisekiaceae, Sericostoma pauciflorum Stocks ex Wight, Boraginaceae, and Trianthema decandra L., Aizoaceae, which are traditionally used for different ailments (hepatitis, asthma, jaundice, skin-infections etc.) have been selected for the study. In the present paper, detailed pharmacognostical evaluation of these plant species using microscopy, standard physicochemical determinations and authentic phytochemical parameters has been carried out. Later on, these morphological characteristics could be used for rapid identification of the drugs, particularly in case of powdered materials, and may possibly help to differentiate the drug from its other species.

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