A holistic overview of different species of Potentilla a medicinally important plant along with their pharmaceutical significance: A review

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been used in the traditional health care system throughout human history and are considered a source of healthy human living. Different parts of the plants like roots, leaves, stem, bark, fruits, and seeds have been used for preventing various diseases and strengthening the immune system. The genus Potentilla is a potential medicinal plant highly valued for numerous pharmacological activities and bioactive compounds. It belongs to family Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae, which represents more than 300 species and is mainly distributed in temperate, Arctic and Alpine zones of the Northern hemisphere. They are known as Cinquefoils in English, Ratanjot in Hindi. They have been used for the treatment of several ailments (ulcers, respiratory problems). Different solvent extracts (methanol, ethanol, water) of Potentilla species were studied for their antioxidant properties like enzyme inhibitory activity and phytochemical profile. The phytochemical profile was evaluated as total phenolic, flavonoid, saponins, triterpenoid content, and fatty acid composition. The various constituents like sterols, essential oil, caffeic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, kaempferol have also been isolated and characterized. These bioactive compounds possess antimicrobial, antibacterial, antidiarrheal and antitumor properties. The present review incorporates the description of Potentilla, its ethnobotany, phytochemical constituents and various pharmacological activities of crude extract, fractions and isolated compounds, which could lead to the development of viable drugs for the treatment of a variety of ailments.