Plumbago zeylanica: A Review of its Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Pharmacological Activities
Priyanka Sawant, Prerna Nikam, Kusum Lad, Shweta Bhosale,
Archana Magdum, Ansar Patel
Sant Gajanan Maharaj College of Pharmacy, Mahagaon Site Chinchewadi.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: priyankasawant8371@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Plumbago zeylanica, commonly known as Ceylon leadwort, is a traditional medicinal plant with diverse applications in various indigenous systems of medicine. This review article aims to give outline about the botanical, pharmacological, and therapeutic properties of Plumbago zeylanica, highlighting its significant role in modern and traditional medicine. It also include different method of extraction of Plumbago zeylanica. The study explores the extraction methods of bioactive compounds from the bark and leaves of Plumbago zeylanica. Different solvents, including petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and 70% methanol, were used for extracting compounds from the plant material through soxhlet extraction. The extracts were then purified and dried, and their yield was determined. The physical evaluation of Plumbago zeylanica extracts involved determining various parameters such as ash value, loss on drying, and extractive values. These evaluations provide essential information for quality control and standardization of the plant material. The plant is known for its rich chemical composition, primarily consisting of bioactive compounds such as plumbagin, a potent naphthoquinone with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antimicrobial properties. Several studies have demonstrated the plant’s therapeutic potential in treating ailments such as wounds, fever, arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, its applications in enhancing cognitive function, as well as its promising anti-cancer and anti-diabetic effects, are discussed to encouraging and making attention of scientist for producing new drugssubstances and substantial use of the plants.
KEYWORDS: Phytochemistry, Extraction, Plumbagin, Pharmacological activities, Plumbago zeylanica.
INTRODUCTION:
Plant and plants product are the essential source of different useful material and gives food, shelter and medicines. In ayurvedic literatures there are about 700 herbs which are mentioned for its various medicinal use and to cure diseases. Plumbago zeylanica commonly named as chitrak or white leadwort. It is perennial herb belongs to family Plumbaginaceae. It is mostly grows in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India.1 Three main species of chitrak are Plumbago indica L., Plumbago auriculata L. and Plumbago zeylanica.2 This plant shows many pharmacological activities including anti inflammatory, anti cancer, anti bacterial, anti plasmodial, anti tumor, anti fungal, anti atherosclerotic and hepatoprotective due to the presence of various secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, napthoquinones, steroids, saponins, coumarins, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds and tannins. and primary metabolites like fats, proteins and carbohydrates. To treat body pain, headache, fever and inflammation chitrak roots are very useful. The leaves are also useful in scabies treatment.3,4,5
Fig no 1. Plumbago zeylanica
Taxonomical classification:
Kingdom: Plantae
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Division: Magnoliophyta
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Plumbaginaceae
Genus: Plumbago
Species: Plumbago zeylanica
Geographical Names:
English: Ceylon lead wort
Hindi: Chitra6
Plant Morphology/Botanical Description
Fig no 2. Morphological description of Plumbago zeylanica
Stems: Stems are woody and glabous and grows upto 0.5–2m (1.6–6.6 ft) heigh. It has brown colour bark which is very thin.
Roots: Roots having 6mm diameter and length around 30cm. They are cylindrical, friable and blackish red in colour. When the roots are fresh they are light yellow and when dry it changes to reddish brown. It has characterized odour and bitter in taste. They are slightly branched with uniform and smooth texture.
Fruit: It bears 7.5–8mm lengthy fruits having single seed. Each seed is 5–6mm long, oblong and dark brown in colour.
Flowers: white coloured flowers having 10-25cm length, sepals densely covered with small stem holding sticky glands. Petals of flower is very thin and white.
Leaf: Leaf having alternate arrangement which is, 8cm long and 3cm broad, it has narrow leaf stalk.7
Geographical Distribution:
The plant of chitrak ismostly grows in India and Shri Lanka and originated in South-East Asia and also found in, Maharashtra and various parts of Southern India. In India, the plant was cultivate due to its extensive medicinal uses.8
Phytochemistry:
This plant posses wide range of therapeutic properties due to the presence of various phytoconstituent. Number of primary and secondary metabolites are present in several parts of Plumbago zeylanica linn such as glycosides, naphthaquinones, alkaloids, saponins, steroids, tannins, triterpenoids, coumarins, carbohydrates, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, fixed oils, fats and proteins. Main phytoconstituent responsible for therapeutic activities are plumbagin, chloroplumbagin, coumarins, chitranone, 3-biplumbagin. Other chemical constituents includes β sitosterol, 2-dimethyl-5- hydroxy-6-acetylchromene, plumbagic acid, saponaretin, and isoaffinetin.9
MATERIAL AND METHODS:
Table no 1. Chemical constituent in various parts of Plumbago zeylanica
|
Sr. No |
Plant parts |
Chemical constituents |
Uses |
|
1 |
Leaf |
Plumbagine, Plumbagic acid, Isoshinanolone, Indole – 3 – Carboxaldehyde, Vanillic acid |
Anticancer, anti-microbial |
|
2 |
Root |
Naphthoquinone, Chloroplumbagin, Maritinone, Elliptinone, Plumbazeylanone |
Anti-fungal, anti-parasitic, woundhealing, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory |
|
3 |
Flower |
Plumbagin, Glucose, Zeylanone |
Antidiabetic, anti- fibrotic |
|
4 |
Stem |
Plumbagin, Dihydroflavinol –Plumbaginol, Campesterol, Sitosterol, Stigmasterol |
Anti-oxidant, anti-viral Hypolipidemic, Anti- Inflammatory |
|
5 |
Fruit |
Plumbagin, Glucopyranoside, Sitosterol, |
Cardioprotective, anti-oxidant, Immunomodulatory, anti-mutagenic |
|
6 |
Seed |
Plumbagin, Glucopyranoside |
Analgesic, anti-atherosclerosis |
Preparation of extracts of various parts of Plumbago zeylanica:
Parts of Plumbago zeylanica were assembled and dried in the shelter. The sheltered dried parts were crushed into powder using a mill. The powder was then placed in a Soxhlet apparatus and extracted using ethanol and distilled water. Through distillation, the solvents were separated from the plant material. Desicator was used to remove moisture.
Different Method of Extraction using different Solvents:
Petroleum ether:
Extraction was done, by dry sheded powder was paked into soxhlet apparatus with suitable solvent petroleum ether at (60-80oC). The solvent was isolated throughout the process in presence of vaccum. After finishing the extraction extract was dried in desicator and it was measured to determined practical yeild.
Ethyl Acetate:
The dry shaded material was loaded into the Soxhlet apparatus and subjected to extraction using ethyl acetate at 100°C. The extraction process was monitored until completion by observing the color of the syphoned solvent. Following extraction, the resulting extract was dried in a desiccator and weighed to measure the actual yield.
70% Methanol:
70% methanol was taken and sheltered dried powder soaked in it for one day. The all process has been done for 3 times to confirm the extraction was complete. After finishing the extraction extract was placed in desiccator to remove the moisture and it was measured to determined practical yield.10
PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING
Table no. 2 Phytochemical screening of Plumbago zeylanica
|
Constituents |
Test |
Aqueous Extract |
Methanol Extract |
|
Carbohydrates |
Molisch's test |
- |
- |
|
Benedict's test |
- |
- |
|
|
Saponins |
Foam test |
- |
- |
|
Alkaloids |
Dragendroff's test |
- |
- |
|
Mayer's test |
- |
+ |
|
|
Tannins |
Lead acetate test |
+ |
+ |
|
Ferric chloride test |
- |
- |
|
|
Protein |
Xanthoprotic test |
+ |
+ |
|
Biuret test |
+ |
- |
|
|
Lipids |
Sudan III test |
- |
- |
|
Cardiac glycosides |
Keller-killiani test |
+ |
+ |
|
Steroids |
Salkowski's test |
+ |
+ |
|
Flavonoids |
Shinoda test |
+ |
+ |
PHARMACOLOGY:
Different chemical components from the Plumbago zeylanica responsible for following pharmacological activities.
Anti inflammatory Activity
Hydro-alcoholic extract of chitrak leaves shows anti-inflammatory activity. One study proven that the Plumbago zeylanica helpful in reliving body ache and swelling in different body parts. In tumor cells it reduces the NF kappa B activation. When the carrageenin induced paw oedema study carries out on rats it shows anti inflammatory activity. They divided the rats in two part one as test and other is control group. Plumbago zeylanica treated group cures inflammation in rats. Another study carried out on patients from hospital who are treated with chitrakchurna. The churna was taken with lukewarm water 2 times in day and the doctors found betterment in swelling and pain in patients.11,12
Anti-Microbial Activity:
Growth of many bacteria and microbes are inhibited by alcoholic extract of Plumbago zeylanica. Ethanolic extract of chitrak powder shows potent anti microbial activity than acetone and chloroform extract. These extract shows inhibition zones in petri plates which prudent anti microbial activity.13
Anti-Diabetic Activity:
Anti diabetic activity of Plumbago zeylanica was performed on diabetic rats, it shows that chitrak extract helps to reduce blood sugar levels by decreasing the actions of glucose-6-phosphate. Plumbagin isolated from Plumbago zeylanica extract increases GLUT4 mRNA and protein expressions in diabetic animals.14
Anti-Cancer Activity:
Plumbagin is majorly responsible for anticancer activity of Plumbago zeylanica. It decreases cell multiplication and stops cell cycles. Plumbagin suppress the cell division in human gastric cancer cells. A researchers proves that methanolic extract of chitrak were used opposed to MCF-7 and HT-29 and results into mild anti neoplastic action15,16
Wound Closure Activity:
Methanolic extract of Plumbago zeylanica shows the wound healing properties in Albino rats. 17Terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids are responsible for curing injuries. It's free radical scavenging nature helps to healing wounds.18
Larva Killing Activity:
The plant of the chitrak have the heighest larvicidal activity. A research team led by Maniafu found that extracts from three Plumbago plant species can kill mosquito larvae. When they tested hexane and chloroform extracts from Plumbago zeylanica plants against Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae, these extracts were very effective. A study found that extract from the Plumbago zeylanica plant can destroy Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. All the different extracts made using various solvents were highly effective - they killed half of the mosquito larvae at concentrations below 50 parts per million, regardless of the larvae's stage of development.20
Antioxidant Activity:
Tilak and team studied that how water and alcohol extracts from the plant's roots could fight harmful molecules, testing these extracts against established medicines and the main active ingredient called plumbagin. They measured the extracts' ability to reduce iron compounds, neutralize specific harmful molecules (DPPH and ABTS), prevent fat damage, and determined the amounts of beneficial plant compounds (phenolics and flavonoids) to evaluate how effectively these extracts work as antioxidants. The ethanol extracts performed best in the FRAP and DPPH tests, while the water-based extracts worked better in the ABTS test. The plant extracts were also good at preventing fat damage and contains great amounts of beneficial plant compounds (polyphenols and flavonoids). Scientists did two types of tests to understand exactly how the plant extracts work against harmful molecules. In a new study, Gabriel and team tested how well two different root extracts (a methanol extract and an ethyl acetate extract) could neutralize harmful molecules called DPPH. Their research found that the methanol extract was better effective than the ethyl acetate extract.21
Antiulcer Activity:
Falang and it's colleauges examine water extract of Plumbago zeylanica L. root to see experimentally generated stomach lesions in white rats against aspirin and indomethacin. They measured and compared how the different doses of extract protected against ulcer activity with 2 groups (negative and positive control groups). The extract successfully reduced stomach damage from aspirin at the various higher dose. In case of indomethacin, extract showed reduction of gastric ulceration at different doses.22
Antiobesity:
Researchers Kotecha and Rao was studied whether the plant Plumbago zeylanica L. help to weight loss. They tested by conducting clinical trial on bariatric patients from a hospital in Gujarat, India. During the clinical trial patients took capsules containing two ingredients: Plumbago zeylanica L. and turmeric powder. They took these capsules four times daily for 45 days and also followed a low-calorie diet plan during medication. The treatment using both Plumbago zeylanica L. and turmeric powder helped patients lose more weight than when they only used turmeric powder with a low-calorie diet. So that Plumbago zeylanica L. and turmeric powder more effective for weight loss.23
Hepatoprotective Activity:
Researchers Kanchana and colleagues found that an extract from Plumbago zeylanica L. roots using petroleum ether help to protect the liver damage caused by paracetamol. This study showed this plant extract has potential to prevent or reduce liver injury from acetaminophen overdose. Scientists measured several chemical indicators in the blood to test how well the plant extract protected the liver. When animals were given only single paracetamol, their blood tests showed high levels of certain chemicals indicators. These study verify that paracetamol had caused severe hepatic injury. According to the research findings, when roots of Plumbago zeylanica L. were extracted with petroleum ether, the resulting compound have ability to protect liver cells from paracetamol-related injury.24
CONCLUSION:
Plumbago zeylanica, is an extraordinary plant known for its wealth of biologically active compounds, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, triterpenoids, coumarins, naphthoquinones, tannins, carbohydrates, steroids, fats, fixed oils. These compounds contribute to its wide-ranging medicinal properties, which have been documented in scientific studies. Plumbago zeylanica exhibits therapeutic potential in various medical conditions, such as inflammation, diabetes, memory enhancement, lipid metabolism disorders, malaria, allergies, and more. It is used to treat neoplasm, and also used as an antioxidant. Continued research into Plumbago zeylanica may lead to the development of novel therapeutic applications, reinforcing its value in advancing pharmacology and healthcare.
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Received on 17.04.2025 Revised on 08.06.2025 Accepted on 11.07.2025 Published on 24.07.2025 Available online from July 28, 2025 Res. J. Pharmacognosy and Phytochem. 2025; 17(3):214-218. DOI: 10.52711/0975-4385.2025.00035 ©AandV Publications All right reserved
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