Iris ensata Thunb: Review on Its Chemistry, Morphology, Ethno Medical Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

Medicinal plants are mainly used as herbal medicine and play an essential role in primary health care, ethno-medicine system and production of appropriate drugs. Due to this multi-usage, trade network demand for the different medicinal species can extend to national as well as international boundaries. As only little studies are done on this plant, the purpose of current review is to make accessible up-to-date information on, botany, morphology, ecological biodiversity, therapeutic uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities on diverse parts of Iris ensata Thunb. The plant Iris ensata Thunb belongs to the family Iridaceae. It has been praised by the physicians of all times as a panacea and is broadly used in a huge number of disases. It heals up the chronic ulcers and absess, useful in insect bite, burns, vitiligo, weakness of muscles, itching and dandruff. It is emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, anti orchitis, used in cold cough, in all humours, pneumonia, dyspnoea. The egesta accumulated in the chest are attenuated and resolved by Irsa, it is emetic and purgative. Ibne Sina recommends its efficacious actions in strengthening the wisdom and intellect, cures head injuries skull bone fractures, phlegmic and hot swelling. Ibne Baitar quoted that it is useful in tooth ache, dyspnoea, spleenomegaly, rigidity of uterus, flatulence, it is abortifacient, anti tussive. The fermentation with sosan is benifecial in endometritis, adenitis and hard swelling. Its efficacy in dyspnoea, asthma, thorasic pain, hydropes, jaundice, haemorrhoids, liver complaints, and sciatica. Root of Iris ensata Thunb are reach source of glycosides steroids, resins, proteins, phenolic compounds and also tannins. Flowers of this plant also contains anthocyanin 5-0-glucosyltransferase (R2) and anthocyanin-flavone e.g. malvidine 3KGaC5G, petunidine 3KGac5c, delphinidine 3RGac5G, petunidine(R2) . The epigeal parts of this plant contain mangiferin(R) and leteolin C-glycosides. This review highlights the traditional, ethnobotanical, phytochemical, pharmacological information available on Iris ensata, which might be helpful for scientists and researchers to find out new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses. Keywords: Iris ensata Thunb, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activity, Ayurveda, Medicinal uses