Alhagi: A Plant Genus Rich in Bioactives for Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Alhagi, a plant genus from family Fabaceae, is widely distributed in many countries of Asia, Australia and Europe. Commonly known as camel thorn, Alhagi has many species famous for feed and folk medicinal uses. Different species of Alhagi such as Alhagi pseudalhagi, A. graecorum, A. sparsifolia, A. kirgisorum, A. maurorum, A. camelorum and A. persarum have been explored for their antioxidant potential and nutritive value along with various medicinal properties. A wide array of pharmacologically active secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids (alhacidin and alhacin), steroids, pseudalhagin A, phospholipids and polysaccharides have been reported from different parts of Alhagi species. A broad range of biological activities such as antioxidant, cardiovascular, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic, antidiarrheal, antinociceptive, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, antibacterial and antifungal have been ascribed to different parts of Alhagi. In addition, Alhagi plants are also valued as a rich source of digestible protein and important minerals. This review focuses on the medicinal applications and detailed profile of high-value bioactive phytochemicals along with pharmacological attributes and therapeutic potential of these multi-purpose plants.

A comprehensive review of phytochemical profile, bioactives for pharmaceuticals, and pharmacological attributes of Azadirachta indica

“…Various parts of plants such as roots, flowers, and leaves are used to treat a number of ailments in traditional systems of medicines (Unani‐Tibb, Ayurveda, and Chinese) owing to the presence of bioactives (Anwar et al, ; Ashraf, Muhammad, Hussain, & Bukhari, ; Muhammad, Hussain, Anwar, Ashraf, & Gilani, ; Muhammad, Hussain, Jantan, & Bukhari, ). According to the World Health Organization (WHO, ), phytomedicines are trusted by more than 80% of people around the globe.…”

“…(Serrone & Nicoletti, 2013). MIC values of leaves extract were investigated to be 6.25 and 12.5 mg/ml for P. mirabilis and E. faecalis, respectively (Chaturved et al, 2011;Muhammad et al, 2015).…”

Mimosa pudica L., a High‐Value Medicinal Plant as a Source of Bioactives for Pharmaceuticals

“…Phytomedicines are more economical and safer than commercial analgesic drugs to relieve pain, which are used worldwide (Elisabetsky and others ; Almeida and others ; Muhammad and others ). M. pudica (whole plant) was boiled with water for 30 min and the decoction obtained was centrifuged and filtered.…”

Mentha: A genus rich in vital nutra‐pharmaceuticals—A review

“…On the other hand, plants have always served as a source of folk medicine and modern drugs to meet health care needs of mankind (Gilani & Atta‐ur‐Rahman, ; Mishra et al, ; Mishra et al, ; Saily, Sabu, Mohan, Gupta, & Sondhi, ; Sharifi‐Rad et al, ). Due to the high cost and safety issues of pharmaceutical medicine, there is renewed interest in the utilization of plants/herbs both as a food and medicine (Anwar et al, ; Jamshed, Sultan, Iqbal, & Gilani, ; Muhammad, Hussain, Anwar, Ashraf, & Gilani, ). The medicinal products obtained from various plants are considered safer (Abbas, Anwar, & Ahmad, ; Ahmad & Sher, ; Ahmed & Gilani, ).…”

“…The medicinal products obtained from various plants are considered safer (Abbas, Anwar, & Ahmad, ; Ahmad & Sher, ; Ahmed & Gilani, ). In view of some reports, currently, a large proportion (approximately 80%) of the world's population, especially in the Africa and South Asian regions depend on traditional medicine, mainly the plant derived natural products and phytomedicines for maintenance or improvement of health (Emiru, Ermias, Wolde, & Degitu, ; Muhammad et al, ). Many food and medicinal plants, especially aromatic herbs and spices, have been evaluated for their nutra‐pharmaceutical potential due to the presence of a wide array of natural bioactive compounds and novel chemical entities (Akhtar et al, ; Ali & Qaisar, ; Descalzo & Sancho, ; Dorman & Deans, ).…”