Curcuma longa (Turmeric): Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicity profiles—A review

Introduction: Curcuma longa, popularly known as Turmeric, is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant used in folk medicine for the treatment, prevention, and management of various illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, Arthritis, diarrhoea, inflammation, psoriasis, hepatobiliary diseases, gastric and peptic ulcers. Results: This study reviewed the ethnomedicinal potentials, phytochemicals, and pharmacological activities of C. longa. In vitro and in vivo studies reported that C. longa and its major bioactive constituent (curcumin) pos�sess various pharmacological properties. These include; anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-osteoarthritis, antidiar�rheal, cardioprotective, anti-oxidative, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-microbial, renoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. This review demonstrated that the various pharmacological activities of C. longa might be attributed to the presence of numerous bioactive compounds. However, these varying potentials have not been effectively analysed for optimal application in developing new therapies. Also, the applicability and mode of action of the different bioactive compounds found in C. longa have not been fully exploited. Conclusion: This study showed that C. longa could be exploited by pharmaceutical industries to develop phar�maceutical products. However, there is a need for human clinical trials and quality control studies to establish effective and safe doses of C. longa and its major bioactive constituent-curcumin suitable for treating several disease

Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities and toxicological effects of Mimosa pudica- A review

Introduction: Mimosa pudica L. is a creeping herbaceous ornamental plant belonging to the Mimosaceae family. It is used in ethnomedicine to prevent or treat various illnesses like diarrhoea, dysentery, diabetes, alopecia, cancer and urinary tract infection. This study extensively reviewed the phytochemicals and pharmacological activities of M. Pudica. Method: The materials used in this study were obtained from the following databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed, Wiley, Springer and google scholar using relevant keywords. Only papers in the English language between January 2001 and December 2022 were included. Results: In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that M. pudica and its bioactive components possess numerous pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, wound healing, anxiolytic, anthelminthic, antiophidian, hepatoprotective, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and anticancer activities. These numerous pharmacological activities may be attributed to various bioactive compounds in M. pudica. Conclusion: This study revealed that M. pudica and its numerous bioactive compounds have a strong therapeutic effect against various diseases, including life-threatening diseases such as cancer and diabetes. However, despite the widespread therapeutic potential of M. pudica, no clinical trial and quality control studies exist in the literature. Therefore, clinical trials and quality control studies are recommended to establish safe and effective doses for the prevention and treatment of diseases