A Narrative Review on the Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potentials of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau Leaves as an Alternative Source of Future Medicine

Abstract

The application of natural products and supplements has expanded tremendously over the past few decades. Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans), which is affiliated to the Acanthaceae family, has recently caught the interest of researchers from the countries of subtropical Asia due to its medicinal uses in alternative treatment for skin infection conditions due to insect bites, microorganism infections and cancer, as well as for health well-being. A number of bioactive compounds from this plant’s extract, namely phenolic compounds, sulphur containing compounds, sulphur containing glycosides compounds, terpens-tripenoids, terpens-phytosterols and chlorophyll-related compounds possess high antioxidant activities. This literature search yielded about one hundred articles which were then further documented, including the valuable data and findings obtained from all accessible electronic searches and library databases. The promising pharmacological activities from C. nutans leaves extract, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-venom, analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties were meticulously dissected. Moreover, the authors also discuss a few of the pharmacological aspect of C. nutans leaves extracts against anti-hyperlipidemia, vasorelaxation and renoprotective activities, which are seldom available from the previously discussed review papers. From the aspect of toxicological studies, controversial findings have been reported in both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Thus, further investigations on their phytochemical compounds and their mode of action showing pharmacological activities are required to fully grasp both traditional usage and their suitability for future drugs development. Data related to therapeutic activity and the constituents of C. nutans leaves were searched by using the search engines Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct, and accepting literature reported between 2010 to present. On the whole, this review paper compiles all the available contemporary data from this subtropical herb on its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities with a view towards garnering further interest in exploring its use in cardiovascular and renal diseases.

Traditional Healing Practices and Folk Medicines in Thailand: A Case Study of Huai Yot District, Trang Province

“…39 This medicinal plant contains various phytochemical constituents, including lupeol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, botulin, myricyl alcohol, and a range of C-glycosyl flavones such as vitexin, isovitexin, shaftoside, isomollupentin, orientin, and isoorientin. [40][41] Pharmacologically, the leaves of Clinacanthus nutans have shown a wide range of activities, including cholinergic modulation, cytotoxicity, anti-Papillomavirus infectivity, anti-inflammatory properties, virucidal activity against varicella-zoster virus and dengue virus type 2, and antioxidant protective effects against oxidativeinduced hemolysis. [41][42] Clinically, preparations of Clinacanthus nutans, as creams, have been successfully used in treating genital herpes and varicella-zoster lesions.…”

Clinacanthus nutans leaf extract reduces pancreatic β-cell apoptosis by inhibiting JNK activation and modulating oxidative stress and inflammation in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“… Hanchang et al ., 2019 ). Clinacanthus nutans is a widely utilized herbal plant that has been investigated for its properties in treating diabetes ( Chia et al ., 2022 ) C. nutans has demonstrated anti-diabetic properties by inhibiting α-glycosidase in vitro ( Alam et al ., 2017 ). This plant also showed the ability to decrease blood glucose levels and oxidative stress markers while enhancing markers of antioxidant status in diabetic rats ( Sarega et al ., 2016a ; Umar-Imam et al ., 2019 ).…”

Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activities of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau

“…C. nutans has an abundance of phytochemicals [ 4 ], which involve many of its biological activities [ 4 ]. Various solvents (e.g., polar, semipolar, and nonpolar reagents) and different preparative methods have been used to retrieve these phytochemicals [ 5 ].…”

“…For this purpose, we searched PubMed and the Web of Science Core Collection databases by using the keywords “ Clinacanthus nutans and virus”, “ Clinacanthus nutans and inflammation”, and “ Clinacanthus nutans and immunology” for relevant studies. For a detailed narrative review of phytochemical compounds and their health-promoting activities, please see Chia et al [ 4 ]. This is an up-to-date review covering the antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and neuromodulatory activities of C. nutans extracts.…”