Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, and Therapeutic Potentials of Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Robinson: A Literature-Based Review

Abstract

Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Robinson, belonging to the family Lauraceae, is a multipurpose and fast-growing evergreen or deciduous tree that has been traditionally used for numerous purposes such as treatment for diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, indigestion, gastroenteritis, edema, traumatic injuries, colds, arthritis, asthma, diabetes, pain relief, and poignant sexual power. This study aimed to summarize the chemical reports, folk values, and phytopharmacological activities of L. glutinosa, based on available information screened from diverse databases. An up-to-date electronic-based search was accomplished to obtain detailed information, with the help of several databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, SpringerLink, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, ChemSpider, Elsevier, BioMed Central, and the USPTO, CIPO, INPI, Google Patents, and Espacenet, using relevant keywords. Outcomes advocate that, up to the present time, alkaloids, glycosides, and terpenoids are abundant in, and the most bioactive constituents of, this natural plant. Results demonstrated that L. glutinosa has various remarkable biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anticancer, antipyretic, anti-diabetic, analgesic, hepatoprotective, and wound-healing activity. One study revealed that L. glutinosa exhibited significant aphrodisiac and anti-infertility activity. Nevertheless, no clinical studies have been cited. Taken together, L. glutinosa may be one of the significant sources of bioactive constituents that could potentially lead to different effective pharmacological activities. On the other hand, future research should focus on clinical studies and several toxicity evaluations, such as sub-chronic toxicity, teratogenicity, and genotoxicity.

Medicinal plants from Gangetic plains of West Bengal and yoga for the management of lifestyle diseases

“…Tree, trunk bark blackish grey, leaves elliptic to oblongelliptic, young leaves pilose; flowers unisexual, yellowish in colour, fruits berries small 5-6mm across. Besides properties to cure of other diseases, it is useful in lifestyle diseases like asthma, diabetes, pain relief, and poignant sexual power [20] . Melochia corchorifolia L. (Malvaceae) Tikiokra, Bilipatr, Bon-pat, Chocolate Weed.…”

The Ameliorative Effect of Litsea martabanica (Kurz) Hook. f. Leaf Water Extract on Chlorpyrifos-Induced Toxicity in Rats and Its Antioxidant Potentials

“…The outcomes from all antioxidant tests in this study demonstrated that the leaf water extract of L. martabanica displayed considerable antioxidant properties in both DPPH and superoxide radical assays. Moreover, previous research and literature reviews have highlighted the antioxidant activity present in plants of the genus Litsea, with this attribute being observed across different parts of the plants, including leaves, roots, and stems [52][53][54]. For example, the methanolic extract of L. glutinosa has demonstrated antioxidant properties including hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity, total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide scavenging activity assay, and reducing power test [55].…”

Two rare flavonoid glycosides from Litsea glutinosa (Lour.) C. B. Rob.: experimental and computational approaches endorse antidiabetic potentiality

“…Chronic hyperglycemia in diabetics results in micro- and macrovascular consequences, including cardiovascular disorders, diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy [ 3 , 5 ]. L. glutinosa is a traditional herbal remedy that is frequently used to treat diarrhea and dysentery [ 55 ]. It is demonstrated though the current research that the methanolic leaf extract from the L. glutonosa plant species had a considerable impact in reducing diabetes in mice that had been induced with STZ.…”