Abstract
Purpose: To present an overview of the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects of the ‘wonder’ plant, Uncaria gambir (W. Hunter) Roxb.Methods: The literature search for information on phytochemical composition and pharmacological importance of U. gambir was undertaken using diverse electronic search engines, including Google, Scopus, Web of Science, scientific literature, and databases (Pubmed, Springer and Science Direct). Other relevant literature sources include books, book chapters, conference papers, theses, and other scientific publications.Results: Uncaria gambir Roxb possesses significant medicinal potentials as an antioxidant, anthelmintic, antibacterial, anti-diabetic, and for the management of osteoarthritis. Interest has increased among researchers for the utilization of this plant in complementary medicine, for example, to relieve sore throat, spongy gum, and dysentery, to treat atherosclerosis and obesity, and to prolong sexual intercourse.Conclusion: Uncaria gambir demonstrates significant pharmacological properties. This review will be useful for prospective research and development of this ethnomedicinal plant into potentially valuable health products.
 Keywords: Anthelmintic, Antibacterial,Anti-Diabetic, Osteoarthritis, Uncaria gambir
Highlights
The utilization of traditional medicine has gained a lot of attention as an alternative medicine to modern treatment worldwide [1,2,3]
More than 2,000 species of medicinal plants with therapeutic benefits have been discovered in Malaysia [4,5]
These plants are very often used as traditional medicine and self-prescribed to relieve minor illnesses such as fevers, diarrhea, headaches, colds, coughs, and abdominal pains
Summary
The utilization of traditional medicine has gained a lot of attention as an alternative medicine to modern treatment worldwide [1,2,3]. To prove the antioxidant properties in U. gambir, Anggraini et al [11] evaluated the 1,1diphenyl-2picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity on four popular cultivars gambir extracts. A comprehensive review on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of the 19 species of plants in the genus Uncaria suggests that ethanol and ethyl acetate extracts of U. gambir dried leaves demonstrated a higher DPPH inhibitory activity (IC50, 13.8 - 16.2 μg/mL) than the aqueous extract (IC50 27.4 μg/mL), due to the presence of tannins and condensed tannins [26,33]. The increase in time of paralysis and the time of death of the worms indicate the effectiveness of U. gambir as a natural anthelmintic [38] In another study, both the leaf and shoot extracts were found to possess anthelmintic properties in a dosedependent manner [40]. Quercetin Roxburghine A, B, C, D, E Gambirtannine Dihydrogambirtannine Oxogambirtannine Neooxygambirtannine
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
