Medically significant monotypic species Martynia annua L.: A review on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology

Senthil Kumar Raju *, Sabarinath Chandrasekar, Hemalatha Dhandapani, Mathipriya Rajendran, Nithya Lingarajan, Sandhiya Devan, Praveen Sekar and Shridharshini Kumar

Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Swamy Vivekanandha College of Pharmacy, Tiruchengode – 637 205, Tamilnadu, India.
 
Review
Open Access Research Journal of Biology and Pharmacy, 2023, 07(01), 010-020.
Article DOI: 10.53022/oarjbp.2023.7.1.0087
Publication history: 
Received on 25 November 2022; revised on 07 January 2023; accepted on 09 January 2023
 
Abstract: 
Martynia annua commonly known as Thael kodukkai belonging to the Martyniaceae family is an herbaceous plant with many medicinal properties. It is a weedy peculiar species native to tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico. The entire herb is found to exhibit potential pharmacological activities. The various parts of this plant have been reported to show many therapeutic indications like anticancer, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory, wound healing, analgesic, antipyretic activity, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-nociceptive, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-hemolytic, anti-thrombotic, anti-arthritic, anti-haemorrhoidal, anti-alopecia, anti-muscular, anti-helminthic, gastroprotective and anti-fertility activities. This review aims to provide the compilation of existing knowledge on the phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of M. annua from the reported studies. The phytochemical screening results of various extracts of stem, root, leaves and fruits of M. annua were discussed in this review. A greater number of phytoconstituents were reported to be present in leaves. This review suggests that this plant contains various phytoconstituents like anthraquinones, terpenoids, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds that are responsible for various pharmacological activities. In the future, this plant provides an immense scope for pharmacological investigations.
 
Keywords: 
Martynia annua; Martyniaceae; Thael kodukkai; Phytoconstituents; Pharmacological activities
 
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