FAMILY ACANTHACEAE AND GENUS APHELANDRA: ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHYTOCHEMICAL REVIEW

Aphelandra belong to family Acanthaceae. We have reviewed traditional uses, pharmacological potential and phytochemical study of family Acanthaceae and genus Aphelandra. Traditionally the most important part use in Acanthaceae is the leaves and they are used externally for wounds. We have found that Acanthaceae possess antifungal, cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic, anti-oxidant, insecticidal, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, Anti- platelet aggregation and anti-viral potential. Phytochemical reports on family Acanthaceae are glycosides, flavonoids, benzonoids, phenolic compounds, naphthoquinone and triterpenoids. We have also document genus Aphelandra, its phytochemical and pharmacological potential