A comprehensive review on the pharmacognostic and toxicological profile of Podophyllum peltatum (Bajiaolian)

Introduction: Traditional medicine has traditionally appreciated the use of Podophyllum peltatum, a large herbaceous species with origins in eastern United States and southern Canada. This swiftly growing plant has recently sparked new interest due to its many uses. A true treasure of phytochemicals can be found there. This comprehensive review delves into the medicinal potential of Podophyllum peltatum, commonly known as mayapple, a rhizomatous perennial plant. Also, Dysosma pleianthum (bajiaolian), a species of May apple, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine rich in podophyllotoxin. Mayapple has a long history of traditional use by indigenous peoples, and it has garnered significant attention from pharmacologists and medical researchers for its potential in treating various ailments, including cancer and viral infections. Methodology: The online databases including Google Scholar, and PubMed, were searched using different keywords: P. peltatum, antimicrobial activity, traditional uses, and antitumor activity. A total of 124 relevant papers out of 365 including the search terms were selected from the year 2000 to 2022.The purpose of this review was therefore to summarise the previously reported traditional uses and toxicity of the chosen plant species. Results: The results of our analysis showed that mayapple contains lignans with anti-cancer properties, leading to the development of FDA-approved cancer drugs such as etoposide. This review provided insights into the plant's morphology, taxonomy, traditional uses, agriculture, pharmacological investigation, chemical constituents, and analytical analysis. Conclusion: Podophyllum peltatum is a useful medicinal plant but the highlighted toxicological aspects of mayapple, emphasize the need for caution in its use due to its potential for systemic toxicity when consumed in excessive doses