A review on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Pedalium murex L.

Introduction

Pedalium murex L. (Gokhru) is a succulent herbaceous plant with multifarious medicinal values in various traditional therapeutic systems. The review summarises the previous research findings on P. murex, with major emphasis on ethnomedicine, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology.

Material and methods

The study was performed by retrieving relevant literature from scientific databases like Scopus, Science Direct, Springer Link, Wiley, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, and Web of Science. The data collection was carried out using specific keywords like ‘P. murex,’ ‘Gokhru,’ ‘ethnomedicinal uses,’ ‘Phytochemistry,’ ‘Pharmacology,’ ‘Toxicity,’ ‘Clinical studies’ and their combinations.

Results

The study's findings revealed a strong connection between P. murex traditional use and pharmacological activities. The plant shows aphrodisiac, antiulcer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antivenereal, anticancer, analgesic, antipyretic, immune-modulator, and other pharmacological properties. Phytocompounds like diosgenin, pedalin, pedalitin, β-sitosterol, isatin, lupeol acetate, and ursolic acid are amongst the many which are responsible for various therapeutic applications and have the potential to transform into oral drugs.The plant shows immune-modulatory effects by influencing corticosterone, low-density lipoprotein, thiobarbituric acid, lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, exo-polysaccharides, Cyclooxygenase and free radical inhibitory mechanisms for neuroprotection, hypolipidemic, antidiabetic, antibiofilm, aphrodisiac, and anti-inflammatory activities respectively. Toxicological studies implied safety and protection indicating potential to be used as herbal medicine.

Conclusion

The different parts of the plant have potential bioactive properties with prospective ethnopharmacological relevance for aphrodisiac, venereal, urinary tract infections and inflammation. Further, it is necessary to conduct controlled clinical trials, in-depth pharmacokinetic, detailed phytochemical and pharmacological studies to achieve the plant’s full potential.