The Therapeutic Properties, Ethno pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Atriplex Species: A review

Abstract

Atriplex species are prospective natural candidates for possible drug development because of their antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, molluscicidal and antifungal properties. These pharmacological actions are associated to the presence of valuable biochemicals such as terpenoids, hydroxyecdysone, flavonoids and phenolics. These plants also have nutritional properties being rich source of proteins, vitamin A, vitamin C, flavonoids and amino acids. The proper utilization of the substances obtained from these plants can enhance the finesse of these abilities. Atriplex species are used as conventional cure of diseases due to their exceptional therapeutic uses. Plants of this genus have been employed by the common folk in several regions of the world to treat diabetes, jaundice, thyroid and liver disorder, snake bite and against infections in digestive, respiratory and urinary tract which indicate the worth of the herbs belonging to the genus Atriplex. These plants are not only medicinally important but are also important to boost economy specifically due to insecticidal properties of some species which make them suitable to be used for insecticidal applications in agriculture. In view of the medicinal and scientific uses along with the bioavailability of precious chemicals of Atriplex species, a comprehensive review is compiled which focuses on the detailed profile of chemicals present, medicinal uses of extracts, pharmacological functions and biological activities of Atriplex species so as to correlate the available data and explore their potential uses in all possible aspects.