Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr.: a multipurpose plant with multiple uses in traditional ethnic culinary and ethnomedicinal preparations

Abstract

Various plants form the basis of multiple traditional ethnic cuisines and ethnomedicinal practices across the globe. The ethnic cuisines cater to the nutritional, dietary and medicinal requirements of the tribal and rural communities even today. Using literature from various scholarly databases, this study was conducted to consolidate a comprehensive review on the use of Sauropus androgynus (L.) Merr. in various traditional ethnic cuisines and ethnomedicinal preparations across the globe. The survey shows that it is used in multiple ethnic cuisines and is variously known in different countries and among the communities. Further, it possesses multiple nutritional and ethnomedicinal properties. Considering its importance in ethnic foods and ethnomedicinal preparations, it is important to investigate the nutritional composition, phytochemical constitution and pharmacological basis of ethnomedicinal uses. Therefore, we further compiled this information and found that it is a rich source of both micro- and macronutrients and packed with several bioactive compounds. Survey of pharmacological studies on its traditional medicinal uses supports its ethnomedicinal properties. Despite its importance in traditional food and ethnomedicinal systems, it remains underexplored. Limited information on the toxicity of its various extracts shows that further studies should be conducted to understand its safety aspects. Further clinical studies to prospect possible drug candidates from it should be attempted.

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“…In this study, we reviewed farming activities and administrative measures adopted to increase the commercial cultivation of mizuna from 1982, and we demonstrated the paradigm shift in the new use of mizuna (young less-branched form) to increase the vegetable's demand in contemporary dishes. It has been reported in many articles in traditional food including heirloom vegetables and traditional farming methods [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14], and its basic information of local traditional knowledge is necessary in conservation, sustainable utilization, preservation, discovering health benefit in future [12]. We thus also discussed that breeding programs of the young form ironically resulted in reduction the flavor and the antimutagenicity of this vegetable.…”

“…The GC-EI-MS in the selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode using selective fragment ions was used to quantify each fragrant ingredient. EI-MS m/z (relative intensity) of BUITC, PEN, and PEITC are presented in the following: BUITC 113 [M] + (72), 85 (13), 72 (100), 55 (24); PEN 131 [M] + (21), 91 (100), 65 (12), 51 (7); PEITC 163 [M] + (32), 105 (15), 91 (100), 65 (12). In the SIM mode, integration of selected ion intensity (m/z 113 for 10.0-13.0 min in BUITC, 131 for 19.0-21.5 min in PEN, 163 for 25.0-27.5 min in PEITC) were recorded.…”

Valorization of Unconventional Traditional Leafy Vegetable Diversity for Minerals, Health-Promoting Phytochemicals, and Antioxidants

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