A comprehensive review: Holarrhena pubescens

Abstract

Holarrhena pubescens, also known as Kurchi, is an herb with bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and glycosides. It has been traditionally used for treating various diseases. Studies have demonstrated its antidiarrheal, antimalarial, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-wound-healing, and anti-diabetic activities. It restricts intestinal motility and lessens water and electrolyte flow, minimizing the frequency and severity of diarrhoea. Its bark extract shows potent anti-plasmodial activity against Plasmodium falciparum. It enhances antioxidant defence, reduces oxidative stress, and limits the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, exhibiting hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Its alkaloids boost insulin secretion and lower blood sugar levels, and its tannins and flavonoids promote angiogenesis and collagen formation, speeding up wound healing. It also inhibits cancer cell growth, potentially making it useful in cancer treatment. Its chemical analysis shows the presence of numerous bioactive substances. The present study aims to gather well-structured information related to ethnopharmacology, phytochemical makeup, and pharmacological potential of H. pubescens. All information on Holarrhena pubescens related to its various attributes carried out in this review with use of different electronic database viz. SHUATS e-journals, Science direct, CABI, PubMed, Scopus, Google scholar, J-Gate, and secondary meta data collected from Academia.edu, LinkedIn, Research Gate etc. The present review summarises botanical description, vernacular names, Pharmacognostical profile, medicinal and folk uses, reported phytochemicals, novel and cosmetic herbal formulations, toxicological reports etc.