PRELIMINARY SCREENING OF PHYTOCHEMICALS AND ANTIOXIDANTS IN AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL PLANT MIRABILIS JALAPA LINN.

Abstract

The records of pre-historic civilization in different parts of the world revealed considerable range of medicinal plants to cure human ailments. Mirabilis jalapa belongs to family Nyctaginaceae. Mirabilis jalapa has been extensively used in almost all folklore remedies around the world for treating a variety of conditions. It has been reported that indigenous Mexican population uses various decoctions and preparations of Mirabilis jalapa for muscular pain, diarrhoea, dysentery, and abdominal colic. The plant has been extensively studied for a variety of bioactive principles and screened for different pharmacological activities. The ethanolic extract of the leaves and the stem was found to have potent antinociceptive activity in experimental mice. The plant has also proved to posses antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant activity. This article briefly reviews the botany, pharmacology, biochemistry and therapeutic application of the plant. This is an attempt to compile and document information on different aspects of Mirabilis jalapa and highlight the need for research and development.