Phytochemical and Ethnopharmacological Perspectives of Ehretia laevis

Abstract

Ehretia laevis Roxb. (Boraginaceae) has been extensively used as a traditional remedy for the treatment of a diverse range of ailments related to the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the reproductive system, and against several infections. This review critically assesses and documents, for the first time, the fragmented information on E. laevis, including its botanical description, folklore uses, bioactive phyto metabolites and pharmacological activities. The goal is to explore this plant therapeutically. Ethnomedicinal surveys reveal that E. laevis has been used by tribal communities in Asian countries for the treatment of various disorders. Quantitative and qualitative phytochemical investigations of E. laevis showed the presence of important phytoconstituents such as pentacyclic triterpenoids, phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, steroids, alkaloids, aliphatic alcohols, hydrocarbons, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. Fresh plant parts, crude extracts, fractions and isolated compounds have been reported to exhibit broad spectrum of therapeutic activities viz., antioxidant, antiarthritic, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, antidiarrheal, antidysenteric, wound healing and anti-infective activities. E. laevis is shown to be an excellent potential source of drugs for the mitigation of jaundice, asthma, dysentery, ulcers, diarrhea, ringworm, eczema, diabetes, fissure, syphilis, cuts and wounds, inflammation, liver problems, venereal and infectious disorders. Although few investigations authenticated its traditional uses but employed uncharacterized crude extracts of the plant, the major concerns raised are reproducibility of therapeutic efficacy and safety of plant material. The outcomes of limited pharmacological screening and reported bioactive compounds of E. laevis suggest that there is an urgent need for in-depth pharmacological investigations of the plant.

Analgesic and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of 80% Methanol Extract and Solvent Fractions of Ehretia cymosa Thonn (Boraginaceae) Leaves in Rodents

“…In agreement with this study, the chloroform, methanolic and aqueous extract of Ehretia laevis showed effective anti-inflammatory activity by decreasing paw volume at different doses and the plant has phenolic acids, flavonoids, fatty acids, steroids and alkaloids. 45 , 46 The late phase of carrageenan-induced inflammation is an intensifying phase of swelling owing to increased vascular permeability and edema associated prostaglandins and can be prevented by NSAIDs. 47 Similarly, the extracts and solvent fractions had reduced paw edema during the late phases, so the anti-inflammatory activity of the extract and solvent fractions may be a mechanism that entails blockage of COX related to the inflammatory cascade triggered by carrageenan.…”

The role of nanomaterials in enhancing natural product translational potential and modulating endoplasmic reticulum stress in the treatment of ovarian cancer

“…Quercetin ( 3 ) is a polyphenolic flavonoid-based compound obtained from citrus fruits, onions, and grapes ( Xu D et al, 2019 ; Sharma et al, 2021 ). Numerous reports established its anticancer potential against various human cancer cell lines such as ovarian cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.…”

“…Epicatechin-3-O-gallate is a gallate ester attained by condensation of the carboxy moiety of gallic acid with the introduction of the (3R)-hydroxy group of epicatechin. Epicatechin gallate is recognized for its ample biological activities, viz, anticancer against human ovarian and breast cancer cell lines, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties ( Sharma et al, 2021 ). Numerous nanoformulations of epicatechin gallate and epicatechin digallate have been prepared and established their anticancer potential against ovarian, prostate, colon, and breast cancers.…”

Natural Product-Based Studies for the Management of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Computational to Clinical Studies

“…Several plant-based molecules have been screened to detect and identify various biological activities ( Willett, 1994 ; Kumar and Jain, 2016 ; Sharma et al, 2016 ; Kumar et al, 2017 ; Kaur et al, 2019 ; Kumar et al, 2021 ). In the literature, numerous phytomolecules have been obtained from plants, such as alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, and polyphenolic constituents, which have been evaluated against various cancer cell lines ( Kumar D. et al, 2015 ; Kumar et al, 2016a ; Kumar et al, 2016b ; Kumar et al, 2018a ; Kumar et al, 2018b ; Kaur et al, 2020 ; Sharma et al, 2021 ). A wide range of natural products with high biocompatibility, low toxicity, good sustainability, and a good safety profile is extensively used to manage CRPC.…”

“…Flavonoid-based phytochemicals are characterized by a 15-carbon frame as a common phenyl benzopyrone association (C 6 –C 3 –C 6 ) in their scaffolds ( Sharma et al, 2021 ). Flavonoids are a potential bioactive class of natural products and are subdivided into flavones, flavanones, flavan-3-ols, flavonols, flavanones, and isoflavones.…”