CALLICARPA MACROPHYLLA: A REVIEW UPDATE ON ITS BOTANY, ETHNOBOTANY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY

Callicarpa macrophylla (Verbenaceae) has been commonly used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, respiratory and skeletal systems as well as to infectious diseases. It provides the up-to-date information that is available on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of Callicarpa macrophylla. Additionally, to highlight the possible uses of this species to treat different diseases and to provide a basis for future research. The information was collected from scientific journals, books, theses, and reports via a library and electronic search (Google Scholar, Web of Science and Science Direct). The phytochemical studies have shown the presence of many secondary metabolites belonging to terpenoids, flavonoids, carbohydrate, lignans, phenols, and sterols. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from Callicarpa macrophylla show a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, anti-arthritic, anti-pyretic & analgesic activities, as well as a usefulness help in alleviating pain in rheumatism. Callicarpa macrophylla has been a widely used a source of medicine for years without any adverse effects. Many studies have provided evidence for various traditional uses. However, there is a need for additional studies of the isolated compounds to validate the traditional uses in human models. The present review on the botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry has provided preliminary information for further studies and commercial exploitations of the plant.