Heliotropium indicum L.: From Farm to a Source of Bioactive Compounds with Therapeutic Activity

Abstract

This study aimed to summarize the available data on the ethnomedicinal and phytopharmacological activities of Heliotropium indicum L. based on database reports. For this purpose, an up-to-date literature search was carried out in the Google Scholar, Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ResearchGate, PubMed, Chem Spider, Elsevier, BioMed Central, and patent offices (e.g., USPTO, CIPO, NPI, Google patents, and Espacenet) for the published materials. The findings suggest that the plant contains many important phytochemicals, including pyrrolizidine alkaloids, indicine, echinitine, supinine, heleurine, heliotrine, lasiocarpine, acetyl indicine, indicinine, indicine N-oxide, cynoglossine, europine N-oxide, heleurine N-oxide, heliotridine N-oxide, heliotrine N-oxide, heliotrine, volatile oils, triterpenes, amines, and sterols. Scientific reports revealed that the herb showed antioxidant, analgesic, antimicrobial, anticancer, antituberculosis, antiplasmodial, anticataract, antifertility, wound healing, antiinflammatory, antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic, anthelmintic, diuretic, antitussive, antiglaucoma, antiallergic, and larvicidal activity. In conclusion, in vitro studies with animal models seem to show the potential beneficial effects of H. indicum against a wide variety of disorders and as a source of phytotherapeutic compounds. However, clinical studies are necessary to confirm the effects observed in animal models, determine the toxicity of the therapeutic dose and isolate the truly bioactive components.

Evaluation of the Allelopathic Activity of Aqueous and Methanol Extracts of Heliotropium indicum Leaves and Roots on Eight Cucurbit Crops

“…These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the phytostimulatory effect of plant extracts on photosynthetic pigments. The chlorophyll-enhancing effects of H. indicum root extracts observed in L. siceraria, B. hispida, and other cucurbit species align with those reported by [29], who found similar bio-stimulatory effects in other medicinal plants. The increased chlorophyll content could be attributed to the presence of phytochemicals in the extracts, which are known to stimulate chlorophyll synthesis or reduce chlorophyll degradation [29].…”

Redox Activity of Flavonoids: Impact on Human Health, Therapeutics, and Chemical Safety

“…These days, ethnobotanical practices are important sectors for utilizing natural products through screening of acceptable candidates. 57 In this respect, numerous natural flavonoids have been identified, developed, and processed as possible therapeutics, antioxidants, and redox maintenance agents with better efficacy and efficiency. Below are details about the pathway-based redox regulation and therapeutic perspectives of flavonoids, and data in Table 1 are related to the redoxsignaling activities along with names of flavonoids, test systems, dose or concentration, possible mechanism of action, and a list of pertinent references.…”

“…However, finding viable and robust bioactive candidates using broad scientific knowledge is a difficult task. These days, ethnobotanical practices are important sectors for utilizing natural products through screening of acceptable candidates . In this respect, numerous natural flavonoids have been identified, developed, and processed as possible therapeutics, antioxidants, and redox maintenance agents with better efficacy and efficiency.…”

Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-pyretic and anti-ulcerogenic potentials of synthetic indole derivatives

“…In the available literature, different concentrations have been used to induce peptic ulcer for example 18 mg/kg 14 , and 80 mg/kg 15 . Similar initial trials were carried out to determine the effective oral dose to induce gastric ulceration in mice in this study.…”