A Narrative Review on the Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Therapeutic Potentials of Clinacanthus nutans (Burm. f.) Lindau Leaves as an Alternative Source of Future Medicine

Abstract

The application of natural products and supplements has expanded tremendously over the past few decades. Clinacanthus nutans (C. nutans), which is affiliated to the Acanthaceae family, has recently caught the interest of researchers from the countries of subtropical Asia due to its medicinal uses in alternative treatment for skin infection conditions due to insect bites, microorganism infections and cancer, as well as for health well-being. A number of bioactive compounds from this plant's extract, namely phenolic compounds, sulphur containing compounds, sulphur containing glycosides compounds, terpens-tripenoids, terpens-phytosterols and chlorophyll-related compounds possess high antioxidant activities. This literature search yielded about one hundred articles which were then further documented, including the valuable data and findings obtained from all accessible electronic searches and library databases. The promising pharmacological activities from C. nutans leaves extract, including antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-venom, analgesic and anti-nociceptive properties were meticulously dissected. Moreover, the authors also discuss a few of the pharmacological aspect of C. nutans leaves extracts against anti-hyperlipidemia, vasorelaxation and renoprotective activities, which are seldom available from the previously discussed review papers. From the aspect of toxicological studies, controversial findings have been reported in both in-vitro and in-vivo experiments. Thus, further investigations on their phytochemical compounds and their mode of action showing pharmacological activities are required to fully grasp both traditional usage and their suitability for future drugs development. Data related to therapeutic activity and the constituents of C. nutans leaves were searched by using the search engines Google scholar, PubMed, Scopus and Science Direct, and accepting literature reported between 2010 to present. On the whole, this review paper compiles all the available contemporary data from this subtropical herb on its phytochemistry and pharmacological activities with a view towards garnering further interest in exploring its use in cardiovascular and renal diseases.

Keywords: C. nutans; medicinal uses; pharmacology; phytochemistry; therapeutic potential.

Figure 1

C. nutans in (A) plant habitat, (B) stems and leaves and (C) inflorescence (photographs of the plants were taken directly by using Canon, model number 3611C011, Tokyo, Japan).

Figure 2

Pharmacological activities of C. nutans.

Figure 3

2D-chemical structure from various phytochemical classes and compounds present in C. nutans leaves (diagram was reconstructed using Chem-Draw ultra-Structure Software).

Figure 3

2D-chemical structure from various phytochemical classes and compounds present in C. nutans leaves (diagram was reconstructed using Chem-Draw ultra-Structure Software).

Figure 3

2D-chemical structure from various phytochemical classes and compounds present in C. nutans leaves (diagram was reconstructed using Chem-Draw ultra-Structure Software).

Figure 3

2D-chemical structure from various phytochemical classes and compounds present in C. nutans leaves (diagram was reconstructed using Chem-Draw ultra-Structure Software).