Phyto-chemical and pharmacological investigations of Aftimoon (Cuscuta reflexa)

Abstract

Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Belongs to family Cuscutaceae and is known as Aftimoon in Unani system of medicine. The plant is parasitic found all over India up to 3000 metres of altitude and growing abundantly during rainy season on various host plants in India. Aftimoon is one of the ingredients in the preparation of various Unani compound formulations such as Itrifal Aftimoon, Itrifal Ustukhudoos, Majoon Ushba, Safoof chobchini. It has been used by Unani physicians since ages for the treatment of various ailments such as neurological disorders like melancholia, schizophrenia, epilepsy etc. It is also used for the treatment of various other disorders like hepatitis, palpitation and skin disorders etc. Different phytochemical studies reported that Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. Contains important chemicals like cuscutin, cuscutalin, bergenin, kaempferol, amarbelin and sterol glycosides etc. Diverse pharmacological studies of Aftimoon have been reported such as anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antipyretic, hepatoprotective, anticonvulsant activities etc. In this paper, an attempt has been made to summarize the information described in classical Unani text and scientific research conducted on different parts of Cuscuta reflexa plant.