A Systematic review on Eleucine indica (L.) Gaertn.): From ethnomedicinal uses to pharmacological activities

Abstract

Eleusine indica is a useful medicinal plant that is widely distributed in the tropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and South America. This article is aimed at preparing, providing and enhancing a comprehensive review on ethnomedicinal and pharmacological values of Eleusine indica plant. Literature search included articles in databases such as Google Scholar, Hinari, PubMed and Science Direct. General Google search, books and online resources were also used. Keywords such as Eleusine indica, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities were used. The botanical name Eleusine indica was identified using The Plant List database (theplantlist.org). Several chemical compounds have been identified such as phenols, anthrones, coumarins, essential oils, triterpenes, steroids, fatty acids, anthraquinones, anthrones, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and coumarins. Two main flavonoids have been isolated from the aerial parts: schaftoside and vitexin. Orientin and Isoorientin and other compounds have also been islolated. From this review, this plant exhibits a large array of pharmacological properties such as antiplasmodial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiviral, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antileishmanial, anthelminthic, cytotoxic, antitrypanosomal and antihypertensive properties. This review has provided the scientific justification for some of the ethnomedicinal uses of E. indica in the treatment of common diseases that plague humans and depicts that the plant has a promising medicinal potential that should be exploited.