A Short Review on Some Medicinal Flowers

Sakshi V. Patil*, Azam Z. Shaikh, Aakash S. Jain, Divakar R. Patil,

Sameer R. Shaikh, S.P. Pawar

Department of Pharmaceutics P.S.G.V.P. Mandal’s College of Pharmacy, Shahada, Maharashtra-425409, India.

*Corresponding Author E-mail: sakshivasudevpatil@gamail.com

ABSTRACT:

Flowers have long been cherished not only for their beauty but also for their medicinal and nutritional value. Historically, they have been integral to alternative treatments and traditional cuisine, owing to their high concentration of protective and nutritional compounds. Flowers possess various medicinal properties, such as anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial activities. Rich in bioactive compounds, flowers play a significant role in alternative medicine, food, and cosmetic industries. They are especially beneficial in modern cosmetics, particularly for skin applications, and contribute positively to mental and emotional health. Typically composed of 70-95% water, the dry matter of flowers includes carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, fiber, vitamins (A, C, and E), organic acids, minerals (P, K, Ca, Mg), and various phytochemicals like phenolic and terpenoids. While volatile compounds such as mono- and sesquiterpenes are well-documented, the presence of triterpenoids and phytosterols, despite their significant health benefits, is less frequently reported. These compounds enhance human health by improving insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, and exhibiting hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties.

KEYWORDS: Flowers, Medicinal properties, Anticancer, Carbohydrates, Proteins.

INTRODUCTION:

Welcome to the colourful world of flowers, where each blossom adds a unique charm to our lives and a narrative to tell. Flowers have been used by humans as a part of traditional cuisine and as alternative therapies since prehistoric times. When compared to other tissues, flowers often contain many times the quantity of protective and nutritious chemicals, making them sinks for plant resources.¹

Flowers have been a vital component of human humanity. For thousands of years, humans have used flowers for their medicinal properties, including anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, and antibacterial activities.^2,3

Flowers have suitable sensory and nutritional characteristics, as well as bioactive compounds that are beneficial for human health. Wonderful element in modern cosmetics, especially for skin cosmetic applications. Flowers have served as emotional symbols and included into prayers, festivals, love letters, and condolences. Flowers have also been shown to help with mental and emotional health.⁴ Wonderful element in modern cosmetics, especially for skin cosmetic applications. Flowers have served as emotional symbols and included into prayers, festivals, love letters, and condolences. Flowers have also been shown to help with mental and emotional health.⁵

Flowers Common Name, Biological Source, and Chemical Constituents, Geographical source:⁶

Table No. 1: Common name, Biological source, Family, Chemical Constituents, Biological source.

Sr. No.	Flower name	Common name	Biological source	Family	Chemical contituent	Geografical source
1.	Gokarna	Butterfly pea, Gokarna, Asian pigeonwings.	Clitoria ternatea	Fabaceae	Flavonoids, Anthocyanins, Tannins and Phenolic Compounds, Triterpenoids, Peptides.	India, Sri lanka, Southeast Asia, Nepal, Other Regions.
2.	Kaner	Cascabela peruviana. Nerium Olender, Yellow Olender.	Cascabela thevetia.	Apocynaceae	Alkaloids, carbohydrate, D-glucose, L-thevetoses, saponins, phenolic, cardiac glycoside,	India: Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Sourthan Europe, Northen Africa,
3.	Periwinkle	Sadabahar, Baramasi, Madagascar periwinkle, rosy periwinkle, or simply periwinkle.	Catharanthus roseus	Apocynaceae	Alkaloids, Vincristine, vinblastine, Flavonoids, Tannins and saponins.	India: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, Australia, South Africa,
4.	Krushan kamal	Chirata, Chiretta, Indian Gentian	Swertia chirayita	Gentianaceae	Bitter Glycosides, Xanthine, Flavonoids, Alkaloids,	India: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, South America,

Pharmaceutical activity:

1. Gokarn:

· The activity of antioxidants: The potent antioxidant properties of Clitoria ternatea flowers are commonly used for their capacity to reduce oxidative stress and scavenge free radicals. This workout promotes both cellular defense and overall wellness.⁷

· Antidiabetic properties: Study indicate that flower extracts from Clitoria ternatea may have hypoglycaemic properties, which could help decrease blood sugar levels and help control diabetes.⁸

· CNS depressant activity: Clitoria ternatea's the CNS depressive effects were investigated with reference to maximum electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizures, as well as their effects on stress, anxiety, depression, and cognitive behavior. A higher discriminating index in the object recognition test and less time to reach the central platform in the elevated plus maze (EPM) suggested the extract had nootropic effects.⁹

· Proteolytic activities: Endopeptidase and carboxypeptidase action increased in the axial tissue until day 9, at which point they declined, and arylamidase levels remain low. The increase in carboxypeptidase and acidic endopeptidase activities in cotyledons that are germinating indicates that these enzymes play a role in the dissolution of store proteins.¹⁰

· Diuretic activity: Both the ethanol extract and the powdered dried whole root was examined for their diuretic properties. Urine excretion of potassium (K) and sodium (Na) improved moderately after taking a single intravenous dosage of the extract; levels of chloride (Cl) dropped, but urine volume remained unchanged. When taken orally, no discernible effects were found.¹¹

Fig. No.: 1 Gokarn

2. Kaner:

· Antioxidant Activity: The antioxidant properties of the methanol extract from Nerium oleander flowers were assessed using several in vitro models. The extract demonstrated significant effects in various antioxidant assays, counting reducing power, lipid peroxidation, DPPH, ABTS, superoxide anion, hydroxyl radical scavenging, and metal chelation.¹²

· Antimicrobial Effect: The antibacterial efficacy of the essential oil was tested against a range of mold, yeast, and bacterial strains, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative. The essential oil shown varying antibacterial activity, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 125 to 500 µg/µl for bacteria and from 250 to 2000 µg/µl for fungi.¹³

· Anti-dermatology Activity: In a study involving rabbits with incision wounds, aqueous leaf extracts of Nerium oleander were administered at concentrations of 80% and 100% twice daily. The wounds treated with the extract healed completely within 6 to 7 days, showing results comparable to those achieved with local application of fucine antibiotic ointment.¹⁴

· Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects: The anti-inflammatory effects of the ethanoic extract of yellow oleander flowers and its sub-extracts (n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and water) were confirmed using LPS-induced Raw 264.7 macrophages. The study evaluated the impact on cell viability and nitric oxide (NO) production. The ethyl acetate sub-extract demonstrated the most significant anti-inflammatory activity without causing harm to the macrophages.¹⁵

Fig. No. 2: Kaner

3. Periwinkal:

· Pain Reduction: Catharanthus roseus, also called the periwinkle plant and native to Madagascar, is well known for its pain-relieving properties. Due to research, this plant's extracts have been used historically to cure many different conditions, such as rheumatism, headaches, toothaches, and menstrual cramps^.

· Anti-Spasmodic activity: The term "spasm-reducing activity" describes a plant's capacity to stop or lessen muscle contractions or spasms, especially in smooth muscles found in the respiratory, digestive, or urinary systems.¹⁶

· Anti-Allergy Properties: The flower has an image for helping to avoid or minimize allergic reaction symptoms like rashes, swelling, sneezing, and itching. When the immune system overreacts to elements such as dust, pollen, or pet dander, allergies result.¹⁷

· Anti-cancer: Vinblastine and Vincristine, two anticancer alkaloids, are extracted from the stem and leaves of Catharanthus roseus. Bankshot and colleagues, In vitro, it was discovered that varying percentages of Catharanthus methanolic crude extracts had strong anticancer activity against a variety of cell types.¹⁸

· Anti-Ulcer: The plant's alkaloids, indamine and vindoline, have anti-ulcer properties. In test animals with ulcers, the anti-ulcer effect of C. roseus plant leaves has been documented. The plant's alkaloids vincamine and vindoline exhibit anti-ulcer properties. Cerebro-vasodilatory and neuroprotective effects of vincamine are well-known.¹⁹

Fig. No.3: Periwinkle

4. Krushana Kamal:

· Antianxiety: Herbal medicines are widely used globally and may offer a potential treatment for anxiety if proven effective and safe. Passion flower extract, particularly P. incarnate, has been used traditionally to treat anxiety and insomnia. Research has shown that a fraction derived from the methanol extract of P. incarnate exhibits significant anxiolytic effects in mice using the elevated plus-maze (EPM) model of anxiety.²⁰

· Anticancer Activity: The phytochemical components of passion fruit juice are believed to possess significant anticancer properties. Chrysin, an extract from passion flower, may be advantageous due to its potential to reduce the suppression of natural killer (NK) cell activity following surgery, thereby limiting the metastatic spread of cancer.²¹

· Anti-asthmatic: Guinea pigs' cholinergic chloride-induced bronchospasm was tested for its asthma-inducing properties using a methanol extract of P. incarnates leaves. This could be the result of reduced alpha-adrenoceptor function that has been linked to overuse or chronic alpha-receptor agonist administration.²²

· Anti tussive: Action In mice with sulphur dioxide-induced cough, the methanol extract from P. incarnata leaves demonstrated strong antitussive effectiveness, causing a cough suppression similar to that of codeine phosphate.

· Anticonvulsant: Anticonvulsant Activity Today's antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are used to treat epilepsy, however they often come with side effects, dosage-related and chronic toxicity, and teratogenic effects. In addition, over 30% of patients continue to experience seizures even after being treated with AEDs. Natural substances obtained from medical treatments have been crucial in the creation of modern drugs and could provide fresh sources of AEDs with distinctive structures and improved safety and efficacy attributes.²³

Fig. No. 4: Krushan kamal

CONCLUSTION:

In conclusion, the extensive use of flowers in therapeutic applications throughout history reflects their significant role in traditional medicine and underscores their continued relevance in modern health practices. This comprehensive review highlights the remarkable diversity and medicinal potential of flowers, emphasizing their role as natural drugs capable of restoring physiological balance disrupted by foreign organisms or physiological defects. Flowers are rich in a wide range of bioactive and nutraceutical substances that contribute to their therapeutic efficacy. Among the most notable compounds found in these medicinal plants are steroids and triterpenoids, which exhibit varied compositions across different species. The flowers of Clitoria ternatea, yellow Oleander, Catharanthus roseus, Swertia chirayita, are particularly notable for their steroid content. The pharmacological properties of these flowers are further enriched by their diverse array of chemical compounds. Terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic acids contribute to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Essential oils extracted from these flowers are known for their aromatic and therapeutic properties, which have been utilized in various applications from aromatherapy to topical treatments. Overall, the rich chemical diversity found in medicinal flowers presents exciting opportunities for developing new therapeutic interventions and enhancing existing health products. Continued research and documentation are crucial to fully exploit the potential of these natural resources, ensuring that their benefits are maximized and their uses are optimized in contemporary health practices.

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Received on 14.08.2024      Revised on 11.09.2024 Accepted on 01.10.2024   Published on 20.12.2024 Available online from November 25, 2024 Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2024; 16(4):254-257. DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2024.00047 ©A&V Publications All right reserved
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