Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of cleome species (Cleomaceae): A review

Abstract

This study is reviewing the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of cleome species. Ethanomedically, cleome species have used to treat a variety of diseases such as fever, flu, headaches, coughs, snakebites, nephritis, inflammation, bronchitis, diarrhoea, skin conditions, liver disorders and malarial fever symptoms. This study reviewed the previous phytochemical analysis of this plant species, its bioactive flavonoids and terpenoids, tannins, alkaloids, anthraquinones and saponins which showed to be found in the various extracts of the plant. These bioactive compounds and extracts all showed antioxidant, anti-malarial, anti-cancer, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effect. The enormous range of medicinal applications described thus far cannot be exaggerated, despite the fact that just a few species in this genus have been studied. Given their pharmacological properties, this plant species shows potential for further analytical studies and subsequent clinical trials to advance the plants' therapeutic potential.