Sains Malaysiana 48(12)(2019): 2683–2691

http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/jsm-2019-4812-09

A Review of Therapeutic Potentials of Clinacanthus nutans as Source for Alternative Medicines

(Ulasan Potensi Terapeutik Clinacanthus nutans sebagai Punca Perubatan Alternatif)

ZAINOL HAIDA & MANSOR HAKIMAN*

Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia

Received: 13 February 2019/Accepted: 23 September 2019

ABSTRACT

Clinacanthus nutans, also known as Sabah Snake Grass, is an ethno-medicinal plant species belonging to the family Acanthaceae and has been widely used as a traditional remedy in Malaysia and Thailand to treat various diseases. The species contains massive amount of phytochemical compounds useful to human health. Various studies have reported that among the compounds found in the species are those with anti-venom properties reported to be rarely present in other medicinal plants. A number of pharmacological research studies have also documented that extracts of C. nutans contain high antioxidants, as well as compounds with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. Isolation and identification of these phytochemical compounds have gained global attention due to their well-known beneficial values. The present review article is a compilation of previous pharmacological studies on C. nutans with a view of gaining further interest in exploring alternative sources of medicine.

Keywords: Clinacanthus nutans; medicinal plant; pharmacological constituents

ABSTRAK

Clinacanthus nutans atau dikenali sebagai Belalai gajah, ialah tumbuhan ubatan daripada famili Acanthaceae. C. nutans digunakan secara meluas di Malaysia dan Thailand dalam perubatan tradisi untuk merawat pelbagai jenis penyakit. C. nutans mempunyai kandungan fitokimia yang tinggi. Justeru, dapat memberi manfaat kepada manusia. Antara semua potensi terapeutik yang terdapat dalam C. nutans, anti-bisa merupakan kelebihan pokok ini. Anti bisa merupakan potensi terapeutik yang jarang ada dalam tumbuhan ubatan. Selain itu, berdasarkan kajian farmakologi yang telah dijalankan, ekstrak C. nutans juga tinggi antioksida dan mempunyai anti kanser, anti keradangan dan anti-virus. Pengasingan dan mengenal pasti kandungan fitokimia dalam C. nutans telah menjadi perhatian di seluruh dunia kerana kebaikannya kepada kesihatan. Tujuan ulasan kertas ini adalah untuk mengumpulkan kajian farmakologi yang telah dijalankan terhadap pokok C. nutans.

Kata kunci : Clinacanthus nutans; juzuk farmakologi; tumbuhan ubatan

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*Corresponding author; email: mhakiman@upm.edu.my