Pharmacological Potential of the Stinging Plant Tragia Species: A Review

Abstract

Tragia is well known in the botanical world a stinging plants. Apart from this, the genus also occupies an important constituent of alternative systems of medicine as well as ethnobotany. Among the various species of Tragia, the most studied and experimented species is T. involucrata. This genus is used for several ethnobotanical uses such as cancer, diarrhea, constipation, scorpion bite, rheumatism, whooping cough and diabetes. Apart from this the genus is also an important constituent of ayurvedic and siddha medicines. Owing to these properties several researches has been conducted to validate the traditional uses, finding out new uses and understanding the phytochemical profile. Alkaloids, phenols, terpenoids and tannin are present in the genus Tragia. Calcium oxalate and shellsol is responsible for the stinging property. Various species of Tragia has been validated for its important properties such as antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, wound healing and anti-inflammatory activities. All these properties has been related to the occurrence of secondary metabolites. However the exact lead metabolite for the pharmacological properties has to be identified. Based the experimentally proved pharmacological properties, Tragia possesses significant potential on a medicinal species.

Flavonoid Composition and Antioxidant Activity of Tragia volubilis L. Methanolic Extract

“…This abundance is attributed to the vast geographical distribution and, thus, the variety of environmental stressors that affect the species of the family, to which they react through the production of a variety of secondary metabolites [5]. Within this family, the Tragia Plum ex L. genus, present worldwide in the intertropical region, is traditionally used in African and Asian traditional medicinal systems, i.e., Ayurveda and Siddha [6], for a wide spectrum of ailments [7], as food [8], and for other uses, such as a low-toxicity irritant, evaluated as a riot control agent [9]. The species native to America are less studied, and, while traditionally used, do not seem to be part of documented medicinal systems.…”

“…Plants 2023, 12, x FOR PEER REVIEW 2 of 13 ailments [7], as food [8], and for other uses, such as a low-toxicity irritant, evaluated as a riot control agent [9]. The species native to America are less studied, and, while traditionally used, do not seem to be part of documented medicinal systems.…”

Exploring the Antioxidant Potential of Tragia volubilis L.: Mitigating Chemotherapeutic Effects of Doxorubicin on Tumor Cells

“…Euphorbiaceae is a plant family with many and potent medicinal species [16]. Within this family, the Tragia genus is traditional in Africa and Asia for a variety of ailments [17], with its New World species lagging behind in the study of their medicinal properties. The main activity of Tragia extracts and essential oils is antibacterial, antimycotic, and antiproliferative.…”