Phytochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of Hygrophila Spinosa: An Overview

Abstract

Background: A plant from the Acanthaceae family, Hygrophila spinosa T. Ander is geographically distributed throughout Asia and is noted for its diuretic and aphrodisiac properties in Ayurvedic literature. In the last four decades, various research teams have conducted experiments with the plant Hygrophila spinosa for screening of the plant as hepatoprotective, anti-urolithiasis, diuretic, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, chemoprotective, and anticancer activities along withanalgesic and anti-inflammatory activity. Flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and triterpenoids are among the phytochemicals separated from different plant components, along with vitamins and minerals. Objective: Considering thetherapeutic value of the plant, focus on using current technology to quantify and confirm the pharmacological effects with in vitro and in vivo assays was felt and to shed light on in silico investigations. Results: Relevant analytical tools for characterizing and quantifying phytoconstituents in the plant along with emphasis on well-established pharmacological screening experiments on parts and/or whole plant extracts, commercially available formulations of H.spinosahave been elaborated.It has been discussed how to further validate the pharmacological effects using insilicomethods and predictions from ADME/T analyses. H. spinosa-based Phyto fabricated nanoparticle systems with gold and silver have broadened the use of plant extract as a metal carrier which minimizes metal toxicity to further boost its synergistic effects in response to the growing need for targeted medicine delivery systems. Conclusión: In light of the necessity to investigate a thorough mechanism of action for each of the specific phytoconstituents contained in the plant, the present review summarizes the phytochemical and pharmacological importance of the plant in chronic illness.