Review on Mirabilis jalapa L., (Nyctaginaceae): A medicinal plant

Abstract

Mirabilis jalapa L. commonly known as Four O’ Clock plant is a perennial herbaceous medicinal plant well known for its traditional uses. Conventionally, the plant is used in the treatment of a variety of human ailments like skin diseases, cathartic, purgative, stomachic, tonic, anti-dysenteric, anti-parasitic, wound healing properties, digestive, stimulant etc. The active constituents reported in this plant includes alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, glycosides, tannins, saponins, lignin and carbohydrates. A number of pharmacological activities are reported in this plant like anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, antinociceptive, anti-viral, diuretic, anthelmintic and urinary tract disorder. The present study is therefore aimed at providing a review of the literature on its ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and pharmacological properties.