A review on phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties of Enhydra fluctuans Lour

Abstract

Increased resistance and side effects of synthetic drugs has led to the exploration of bioactive compounds and drug development from plants. Enhydra fluctuans Lour. is an common edible plant, ethnobotanically very popular in India and parts of south- east Asia and often is used for its medicinal properties. Studies reveal that this plant has many biomedical properties like anti- microbial, anti- diarrhoeal, anti- oxidant, anti- cancer, CNS- depressant, neuro- protective, cyto- protective, thrombolytic activities. These properties can be attributed to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds like β- carotene, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, saponins, sesquiterpene lactones, phytosterols etc. The pharmacological potential infer that this plant can have potential anti- cancer properties and should be extensively investigated for pharmaceutical purposes. This review gives a comprehensive account of all the reports available about Enhydra fluctuans it would help to predict ways to future investigations regarding new compounds and their potential medicinal properties.