INCREDIBLE CAPPARIS DECIDUA (FORSK.) EDGEW: AN INCLUSIVE EVALUATION OF PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGY AND NUTRAPHARMACEUTICAL POTENTIALITY

Abstract

Capparis decidua (Forsk.) is a densely branching shrub or small tree found growing naturally in arid and semiarid areas of India. In Rajasthan, it occurs both on sandy and gravelly soils covered with sand dunes. C. decidua, climbing up to 5-6 meters in height, is widely used in traditional medicinal system of India. Medicinally, it is used to treat in cardiac and gastric troubles. It consists of alkaloids, phenols, sterols and glycosides. Aqueous extract of the plant exhibits anthelmintic activity; seeds contain antibacterial principles-glucocapparin; isothiocyanateaglycone of glucocapparin. The fruit has been shown to possess anti-atherosclerotic, antidiabetic, anti-hypertensive, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. The cardiovascular activity of capparidisine, a spermidine alkaloid from Capparis decidua, has been reported. Besides many socioeconomic and ecological benefits, all parts of this plant provides varied nutritional folk medicinal uses of C. deciduas are well known, so it is essential to summarize a comprehensive review on related aspects of C. decidua plant. Therefore, the present review manuscript focuses on the detailed profile of valuable nutrients and biochemical compounds as well as medicinal wellness of Capparis decidua.