Phytopharmacological Review of Hamelia Patens

Author(s)

Surana, A.R., Wagh, R.D.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

Hamelia patens (Rubiaceae) is an ornamental plant grown almost worldwide in warm, moist areas. Firebush is used in herbal medicine to treat athlete’s foot, skin lesions and insect bites, nervous shock, inflammation, rheumatism, headache, asthma, and dysentery. The aim of this review is to comprehensively outline the botanical description, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Hamelia patens. Peer-reviewed articles on Hamelia patens were acquired via an electronic search of the major scientific databases (Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect). Data were collected from scientific journals, thesis and books. Hamelia patens Jacq. [Syn. H. erecta Jacq. (Rubiaceae)] is a large evergreen shrub, indigenous to America. It was introduced in India as an ornamental plant and grown in gardens. It is a perennial bush, and grows in full sun and in shade. Hamelia patens contain oxindole alkaloids like isopteropodine, rumberine, palmirine and mitrajavine. It also contain flavonoids such as kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, (-) epicatechine 5,7,2’,5’-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-0-a-L-rhamnopyranoside, 5,7,2’,5’-tetrahydroxyflavanone 7-D-glucopyranoside, narirutin and rosmarinic acid. Other chemical constituents are ephedrine, carbohydrate, proteins, tannins. Hamelia shows anthelmintic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic activity, wound healing activity, antioxidant activity, anti-bacterial activity and anti-inflammatory activity. Hamelia patens are traditionally used for the treatment of a wide range of ailments. The primary as well as secondary metabolites isolated from different parts of Hamelia patens including flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrate and proteins. Pharmacological investigations have validated different uses of Hamelia patens.

Keywords

Hamelia Patens, Flavonoids, Oxindole Alkaloids, Wound Healing Activity

Cite This Article

Surana, A.R., Wagh, R.D. (2015). Phytopharmacological Review of Hamelia Patens, International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 4(2), 290-295.