Justicia secunda Vahl species : Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Future Directions : a mini-review

Abstract

The aim of this review was to provide knowledge on Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Justicia secunda Vahl. and Justicia species from various electronic databases (Science Direct, PubMed Central, PubMed and Google scholar). The scientific names of those plants species were used as akeyword for the search, along with the terms phytochemistry and pharmacology. The chemical structures of the Justicia species naturally occurring compounds were drawn using ChemBioDraw Ultra 12.0 software package. Results revealed those plants are traditionally used for the treatment of respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases and as well as inflammation. Those plants are also utilized for their effects on the central nervous system as hallucinogens, somniferous agents, sedatives, depressors and treatments for epilepsy and other mental disorders. Other species are popularly used in the treatment of headache and fever, sedative, analgesic properties, cancer, diabetes, and HIV. Those plants are reported to possess various biological properties like antitumoral activity against different cancer cell lines, anticancer activity against P388 lymphocytic leukemia in mice, inhibitory activity in vivo against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia growth and in vitro cytotoxicity in the 9-KB (human nasopharyngeal carcinoma) an cell lines (Justicia spicigera Schltdl.), antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiangiogenic, anthelmintic, and hepatoprotective activities, human ovarian cancer cell line (Justicia rhodoptera Baker), as well as prevention of some tumoral cell growth (Justicia patentiflora Hemsl), bronchitis, arthritis, vaginal discharges, dyspepsia and eye disease. These properties are due to the presence of numerous naturally occurring phytochemicals like phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, coumarins, terpenes and Phytochemical studies on leaves from J. gendarussa revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, triterpenes, amino acids, aromatic amines, stigmasterol, lupeol and steroids. The results of the present review of literature makes an interesting candidate for advanced antisickling pharmacological investigations such as Justicia secunda Vahl antisickling, anti-hemolytic and membrane stabilizing effects of this plant.