Therapeutic phytochemicals from Plumbago auriculata: a drug discovery paradigm

Ethnopharmacological study is considered to be a promising strategy to explore complementary and alternative medicine that can address several human ailments and the adverse effects of conventional drugs. Medicinal plants have a plethora of exotic phytochemicals that are used for ages in traditional medicine for curing diseases throughout the world. The eco-friendly nature, low cost, and negligible side effects of herbal medicine make them more acceptable and safe. This chapter elaborates on the phytochemical diversity and associated therapeutic potential of Plumbago auriculata which is a perennial medicinal plant from the Plumbaginaceae family. This ornamental plant has blue flowers and is hence commonly known as Nila Chitrak (Blue Plumbago) in Sanskrit. Plumbagin is the major bioactive compound present in P. auriculata. The plant acts as a potential treasure house of several pharmacologically active compounds such as phenols, alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The parts of plants such as roots and leaves are traditionally used to treat wounds, broken bones, warts, and black water fever. P. auriculata exhibits antimicrobial, antiviral, antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, larvicidal, and antileishmanial activities. Leaf, root, and stem extracts of P. auriculata are also employed for the biofabrication of zinc oxide and silver nanoparticles thereby highlighting its nano-biotechnological prospects. In view of the background, diverse phytochemicals of P. auriculata can facilitate plant-based drug discovery ensuring effective and safe therapy.