A comprehensive review on medicinal properties, phytochemistry, and pharmacology of Hordeum vulgare linn: An important plant origin Unani drug

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: Hordeum vulgare Linn is an important cereal grain commonly known as Jao. It is a common ingredient in Tibetan cuisine and is widely used throughout the Middle East as a whole-grain barley meal in soups, stews, porridges, gruels, biscuits, and bread. Barley has various therapeutic actions too such as it is a good enhancer of intelligence, also used to treat headache, cough, pleurisy, and tuberculosis, inflammation of the breast and axilla, post-auricular swellings, acute swelling of joints and gout, scrofula, chronic swellings, melasma, itching, and so on. Chemical analysis of it shows that it contains starch, dietary fibers, proteins, essential amino acids, lipids, unsaturated fatty acids, fixed oil, vitamins and minerals, trace elements, phenolic acids, flavonoids, natural polyphenols (Lignans), phytosterols, folates, and various other constituents. Research studies have shown that it possesses antidiabetic, hypolipidemic effects or anticancer, antioxidation, anti-inflammation, immunomodulation, cardioprotection, blood pressure regulation, improve gastrointestinal, hepatoprotection, cardiovascular disease prevention, atopic dermatitis alleviation, and antiaging effects. The aim of this article is to explore different dimensions of barley including botanical, chemical and pharmacological studies of plant besides its traditional uses in Unani Medicine.