Ethnopharmacological and Phytochemical profile of three potent Desmodium species: Desmodium gangeticum (L.) DC, Desmodium triflorum Linn and Desmodium triquetrum Linn

In this present investigation, three potent Desmodium plants species including Desmodium gangitecum DC, Desmodium triflorum Linn, Desmodium triquetrum, family Fabaceae, were reviewed for their considerable phytochemical, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiasthmatic properties. Desmodium species are well explored in the treatment of neurological imbalances by traditional Indian medicinal system. The recent pharmacological studies recognized the multi-directional therapeutic significance like anti-leishmanial, anti-inflammatory and cardio-protective activity. It is also proved for detoxification and blood purification properties which might be attributed to its immunomodulatory activity. Phytochemical evaluation revealed that the plants have alkaloids, pterocarpans, phospholipids, sterols and flavonoids. The ethno-pharmacological assessment disclose that the plants of Desmodium (Fabaceae), such as Desmodium gangeticum DC, Desmodium triflorum Linn and Desmodium triquetrum Linn, have a long history of medicinal use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to treat various ailments including rheumatism, pyrexia, dysentery, wounds, cough, malaria, hepatitis and hemoptysis, etc., The review emphasizes the primarily on their folkloric uses, pharmacological activities of the different extracts and its fractions, biological activities of isolated compounds, toxicity and safety profile of Desmodium species. It provides comprehensive data for researchers to hit upon new chemical entity responsible for its claimed traditional uses and for future clinical trials. In this present review, the ethno pharmacological data’s of Desmodium species have been consolidated to highlight the modern scientific evidence to prove their potency.