A Review on Operculina turpethum: A Potent Herb of Unani System of Medicine

Abstract

Operculina turpethum (L.) Silva Manso (Convolvulaceae) is a well-known medicinal herb traditionally used in Unani system of medicine to treat various diseases. It is mainly used as expectorant, brain tonic and laxative. The drug has been indicated for the treatment of arthritis, ascites, gout, hemiplegia and facial palsy. Since ages, it has been mentioned as a useful component in many Unani pharmacopoeial formulations such as; Itrifal Mulaiyyin, Habb-e-Ayarij, Habb-e-Suranjan, Habb-e-Muqil, Majoon Anjeer, and Jawarish Kamooni. Pharmacological studies have revealed that Operculina turpethum exerts anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-ulcer, anti-diarrhoeal, antispasmodic, bronchodilator, anti-cancer, antimicrobial and hepatoprotective actions. The major phytochemical constituents as reported by the concerned studies are phenol, flavonoid, phytosterol, terpenoid, cardiac glycosides, resin, glucoside, turpethinic acid, volatile oil, scopoleptin, triterpenes and sitosterol. The efforts have been made to give a pragmatic description of the plant with its pharmacological and phytochemical properties so as to utilize its inherent potentialities for the welfare of ailing masses.