under Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton: A Holistic Review on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects

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DOI: 10.5530/phrev.20241907
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Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton: A Holistic Review on
Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Aspects
Sradha Sajeev, Aarthi Jeganathan, Anju Byju, Anju Rani George, Kavimani Thangasamy, Natesan Geetha*
Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
ABSTRACT
Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton (Fabaceae) commonly known as “Wild Hops” is an important
ethnomedicinal shrub distributed worldwide throughout Asia, Central America and North
Eastern Australia. An updated research evidences about this plant have been collected until
2023 from various peer-reviewed research articles through several online databases such
as Scopus, Pub Med, Google Scholar, Science Direct and Research Gate. The keywords used
during online search were F. strobilifera, plant description, habitat and ecology, ethnobotanical
importance, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. Chemical analysis report indicated
the presence of various phytochemicals such as alkane, aurone glycoside, chalcones, epoxy
chromenes, avanones, avonoid-O-glycosides, avonols, isoavonones and sterols. Prevailing
studies on pharmacological functions of this plant explained several biological properties
such as anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-inammatory, antioxidant, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant,
antiulcerogenic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, wound healing and estrogenic. Overall, this review
discusses the therapeutic promises explored in recent years and highlights the research gaps for
forthcoming research.
Keywords: Ethnomedicinal value, Fabaceae, Flemingia strobilifera, Pharmacological activities.
INTRODUCTION
Plant-derived natural products have been used to support
manhood by sustaining human health since the emergence of
medicine. Traditional medicine has been in existence since time
immemorial and has been well accepted and exploited by the
mankind throughout history. e use of certain plants as drugs
can be derived from the earliest literature written in dierent
languages such as Sanskrit, Hebrew and Greek etc. Herbal extracts
contain several bioactive compounds or secondary metabolites
that act against various ailments whose mode of action diers
for each extract and phytocompound.[1] Flemingia strobilifera
(L.) W. T. Aiton is one of the ethnobotanically important plants
which come under Fabaceae family. is genus comprises of
about 42 species. China, India, Burma, ailand and Laos have
maximum diversity of this species compared to other countries
such as Vietnam, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Nepal.[2] It
is an annual, erect shrub distributed worldwide throughout Asia,
Central America and North Eastern Australia.[3] Leaves are three
to four inch long, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, terminal acute with
rounded base. Root is cylindrical or slightly twisted.[4] Flowers
are bracteolate racemes with three to six inch long. Pods are dark
brownish in colour and elliptic in shape with two seeds.[5] Various
parts of this plant such as bracts, leaves, owers and roots are used
in folkloric medicine in dierent parts of India. Leaves and owers
are used to treat tuberculosis and root is used to treat ulcer, body
swellings, epilepsy, hysteria, fever, diarrhoea and dysentery.[6-9]
Many distinctive research studies have been carried out by
validating the usefulness of this species in conventional medicine
during the past few years.[10-12] For example, characterisation
of anatomical features[5,13,14] ethnomedicinal importance[15-17]
economic benets,[18] phytoconstituents[19,20] and various
pharmacological activities such as anthelminthic,[21] analgesic,[9,10]
anti-inammatory[10,22] antioxidant activity,[23,24] anti-anxiety
activity,[25] anticonvulsant,[26] anti-ulcerogenic activity,[27]
antimicrobial activity,[14,19] antidiabetic activity,[28] wound healing
activity[29] and estrogenic activity.[11] So far, there is no complete
library search has been carried out on F. strobilifera using available
data collected from dierent published articles. erefore,
this review targets a broad and signicant documentation on
phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of F. strobilifera
along with their habitat and ecology, distribution, taxonomical
position, morphological characteristics, anatomical features,
ethnomedicinal importance and economic benets.
Received: 12-08-2024;
Revised: 17-09-2024;
Accepted: 30-10-2024.
Correspondence:
Dr. Natesan Geetha
Professor, Department of Botany,
Bharathiar University,
Coimbatore- 641046, Tamil Nadu, INDIA.
Email: ngeethaptc@gmail.com

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Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this review, the overall information about the plant has been
collected from several peer reviewed research articles fetched from
various electronic sources such as ScienceDirect, Scopus, Google
Scholar, Google, PubMed and Research Gate. e keywords used
during online search comprises of F. strobilifera, plant description,
habitat and ecology, ethnomedicinal importance, phytochemistry
and pharmacological activities. F. strobilifera is used as an
ethnomedicine for curing various diseases since ancient period
due to the presence of various bioactive compounds; therefore, its
therapeutic potential shows a tremendous future in both research
and clinical purposes.
General description of F. strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton
Habitat and ecology
F. strobilifera is a widespread species that grows all over the
world. It is noticed growing along the roads, in open forests
and grasslands at an altitude of ca. 600-1500 m asl.[3] It is also
found as deciduous and semi-evergreen forests in the plains.[29] In
Jamaica,it is commonly found in elds and forming thickets along
eld borders. And also, they found along tracks, in waste regions
near streams and in vacant pastures thriving from sea level upto
915 m.[18] In New Caledonia, it is found on tarnished pastures,
bare land, disturbed land and roadsides.[30] In French Polynesia
and Hawaii, it is found along the roadsides as ornamental plant.[31]
Global distribution
At global level, F. strobilifera is distributed in Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Caroline islands, Ceylon, China
(Hubei, Yunnan), Indonesia (Java, Kalimantan, Lesser Sunda
islands, Moluccas, Sulawesi, Sumatra, Timor), India, Loas,
Malaysia, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea,
Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, ailand, Vietnam,
Australia (Queensland) and Central America.[3]
Indian distribution
In India, F. strobilifera is dispersed from Bengal to South
India. Andaman and Nicobar Islands andhra Pradesh, Eastern
Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Karnataka (Chikmangalur, Coorg, Hassan, Mysore,
North Kanara, South Kanara and Shimoga), Kerala-All Districts,
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland,
Orrisa, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu (Coimbatore, Nilgiri,
Salem, Tirunelveli), Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and
West Bengal.[3]
Phenology
In mainland Asia, owers formed from February to August,
whereas fruiting is from April to November. In Indonesia, it
produces owers and fruits throughout the year.[32]
Description
Taxonomical classications of F. strobilifera are shown in Table 1.
Synonyms
Flemingia bracteata (Roxb.) Wight; Flemingia fruticulosa Benth.;
Flemingia strobilifera R.Br.; Flemingia strobilifera var bracteata
(Roxb.) Baker; Hedysarum bracteatum Roxb.; Hedysarum
strobiliferum L.; Moghania bracteata Hui-lin Li; Moghania
fruticulosa (Benth.) Mukerjee; Moghania strobilifera (L.) J.St-Hil.;
Zornia strobilifera (L.) Pers.[29,32]
Various vernacular names of F. strobilifera are mentioned in Table
2.
Morphology
F. strobilifera is an annual, erect shrub, growing to a height of about
1 m tall. Leaves are unifoliolate, 6.0-15x2.5-7 cm in size, ovate or
elliptic to broadly angulate in shape with broadly wedge-shaped
or rounded base and acute to acuminate apex (Figure 1). Upper
portion of leaves are glabrous while the nerves underneath
are of pubescent type and lateral nerves are about ve to six
pairs in number. Long petioles (1-1.5 cm) with hairs and long
linear-lanceolate, scarious stipules are also present. Inorescences
are axillary and terminal racemes. Flowers are yellowish white
with papilionaceous (1+2+2)), pedicellate, bracteate and
bracteolate, complete, bisexual, zygomorphic, pentamerous,
cyclic and hypogynous. Bracts are surrounded by large foliaceous
bracteole (0.2 cm in size), ower has cylindrical pedicel (0.1-0.2
cm long) with synsepalous and valvate aestivation. Petals are
of three forms such as standard petal (0.6x0.5 cm), the wing
(0.3x0.5 cm) and keel (0.3x0.50 cm) with imbricate aestivation,
diadelphous stamens and terminal style. Another is dithecuous,
dorsixed and ovary is superior, moncarpellary, unilocular with
marginal placentation. Pods are dark-brownish, oblong-shaped
and pubescent with two seeds.[29]
Anatomical features
Root
In the external view, epidermal cells are thin-walled and
rectangular in outline. Transverse section of root showed
the presence of 2-4 layered radially arranged, thin walled,
polygonal shaped, tabular cork cells. Outer layer is made up of
reddish-brown amorphous substance. Phelloderm is one to three
layered with radially arranged parenchymatous cells. Secondary
phloem consisted of slightly lignied bres. Both protoxylem
and metaxylem are present. Xylem is made up of xylem bres,
lignied xylem vessels and xylem parenchyma. Medullary rays
are bi or multiseriate. Pith is absent in root. Microscopic studies
of the powdered root showed the presence of fragments of
vessels, bres, cork cells, starch grains and numerous prismatic
calcium oxalate crystals. in-walled, long and narrow heavily

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Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
lignied xylem bres are also present. Starch grains are simple
and oval shaped. Cork cells are thin-walled, polygonal in shape
and made up of orange-brownish matter in both surface and
cross-section.[5,13]
Leaf
In the external view, the epidermal cells of both surfaces
are thin-walled parenchymatous. Upper epidermal cells are
polygonal or more or less rectangular shaped. Both dorsal and
ventral surfaces are wavy in nature. Stomata are present in large
numbers in lower surface only. ey are of paracytic types and
somewhat oval shaped. Reniform-shaped guard cells with
abundant chloroplasts present. Both uniseriate and glandular
trichomes present on both surfaces. Transverse section of leaves
showed cuticle on both surfaces. in-walled, parenchymatous,
rectangular shaped single layered epidermal cells are present.
Both upper and lower surfaces showed wavy epidermal cells.
Palisade cells with one to two layers, chloroplast present with
spongy cells, thin-walled parenchymatous cells with intercellular
spaces are also observed. Collateral natured vascular bundles are
present. Microscopy of the powdered leaves showed the presence
of epidermal cells, stomata, trichomes, mesophyll and spongy
cells, spiral and pitted vessels.[5]
Stem
In the surface view of the stem, thin-walled parenchymatous
rectangular to polygonal shaped epidermal cells with thin cuticle
are present. Glandular and uniseriate trichomes are also present.
Transverse section of the young stem is triangular or irregular
shaped. Epidermal cells are single layered, barrel shaped and
thin walled. Parenchymatous cells are two to ve layered and
collenchyma cells are two to four layered, irregular shaped and
thin-walled. Collateral vascular bundles are present. Microscopic
reports of the powdered leaves showed the presence of remnants
of epidermal cells and bres.[5]
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Tracheophyta
Class Magnoliopsida
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Genus Flemingia
Species Strobilifera
Table 1: Taxonomical classication of F. strobilifera.[30]
Language Vernacular names of F. strobilifera
English Wild Hops, Luck plant
Hindi Clipti, Kanphuta
Kannada Kumalu
Malayalam Kanala, Kumbilteri, Kumalu
Marathi Kanphuti, Nundar
Gujarati Kasrut
Telugu Nallabadu
Assamese Makhiloti, Makhioti
Table 2: Vernacular names of F. strobilifera.[30]
Figure 1: Morphology of F. strobilifera.

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Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
Ethnomedicinal importance
F. strobilifera is an important traditional medicinal plant used
for the treatment of several diseases. is plant is used by tribes
of 17 dierent states of India. It shows repellent activity against
mosquito and some other blood-sucking insects.[16] It is also used
for malarial treatment.[33] It is also used as a y repellent by Marma
tribes. Decoction of the whole plant is given for haemorrhage.[15]
Arabians use the leaves in cosmetics, as anthelmintic and as
a remedy for coughs and cold.[24,34] In Java, decoction made
from leaves is used both internally and externally as vermifuge
for children and in Bangladesh, leaf juice is taken for worm
infection.[15] In Malaysia, leaves are used to cure rheumatism.[35]
Subanean tribes of Lapuyan, Zamboanga del Sur used pounded
leaves for curing inammation.[36] In Malaya, decoction made
from leaves is administered aer childbirth for bathing.[37] In the
Philippines, a decoction made with owers and leaves is used by
“curanderose” for curing tuberculosis.[17] Tagakaulo people in
Davao del Sur are using dried leaves for alleviating allergy. People
of Philippines squeeze the water aer burning the leaves and use
it for rubbing abdominal area for curing colic.[29] Flowers are used
by folkloric people as an antitubercular agent.[17] Pizon et al.[37]
noted that Subanean tribe used the decoction of roots for the
treatment of tuberculosis and diabetes. In Trinidad and Tobago,
roots are used for kidney problems.[38] In Nepal, root juice is taken
twice daily for one week for curing diarrhoea and dysentery.[5,15]
According to Gahlot et al.[26] roots are used for treating epilepsy
in Burma. And also root of this plant is being used in alleviating
hysteria, insomnia and to ease pain by folk practitioners.[34,40]
Decoction of root is taken for menstrual irregularities.[17,41]
Paste form of root is applied locally for scabies by Darai tribe of
Chitwan district, Nepal.[14,15] In Nepal, juice made from bark is
taken daily. It is also used for treating inammations.[17]
Economic benets
F. strobilifera is a minor host of the lac insect.[42] It plays a role in
agroforestry, soil conservation and land lling. It is a commonly
used ornamental plant[43] and is used in decorations especially
in making bouquet because of its beautiful exaggerated bracts.
Floral bracts of this plant look similar to the true hop plant
which eventually leads to the common name wild hops.[18] In
Philippines, leaves and dried bracts are used for lling pillows
and cushion. Burned wood residues of this plant are used for
blackening the teeth.[35]
Phytochemical prole
F. strobilifera comprises of alkaloids, carbohydrates, coumarins,
fats and oils, glycosides, phenols, quinines, saponins, steroids,
tannins and terpenoids.[1,2,13,44,45] Flavonoids are the structurally
varied secondary metabolites with a wide range of functions.
Earlier studies reported the presence of avonoids, avonoid
glycosides, chalcones, epoxy chromenes and pterocarpans[19,46,47]
and a root-derived chalcone named as 3í, 6í-dihydroxy-2í,4í,5í,4í-
tetramethoxychalcone.[48] Compounds isolated from this plant
include lignoceryl lignocerate[49] and hydrocarbons such as
nonadecane (6.31%), hexacosane (3.50%) and hexanedioic acid,
bis(2-ethylhexyl) ester (2.71%) whereas thiocyanic acid, ethyl
ester, limonene, phenol, 3,5-bis (1,1-dimethylethyl), eicosane and
heptacosane were present in minor quantities.[19] Madan et al.[19]
isolated compounds such as avanone, genistin and β-sitosterol-D
glucoside from methanol, butanol and dichloromethane root
extracts of this plant. Other than these phytochemicals, various
bioactive compounds present in F. strobilifera are shown in Table
3.
Pharmacological applications
Anthelminthic activity
Kumar et al.[21] evaluated anthelminthic activity of various
solvent-based leaf extracts of F. strobilifera using adult Indian
earthworm (Pheretima posthuma). Among various extracts,
alcoholic extract at a dose of 100 mg/mL showed signicant
anthelminthic activity. For this, piperazine citrate was used as a
Figure 2: Pie chart represents the percentage of various studies completed in F.
strobilifera.

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Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
standard drug and 1% Tween 80 in normal saline was used as
control.[21]
Analgesic activity
Kumar et al.[9] assessed root methanolic extracts of F. strobilifera
(300, 500 and 1000 mg/kg b.wt) for analgesic activity using tail
immersion method in albino mice. Acetylsalicylic acid in the
dose of 300 mg/kg b.wt was used as standard drug. Of three
concentrations, 300 mg/kg b.wt showed a signicant analgesic
activity. Kumar et al.[10] also evaluated ethanolic and aqueous root
extracts of this plant at two dierent doses i.e., 400 and 600 mg/kg
b.wt in albino rats of either sex by tail ick method. Dichlofenac
sodium (10 mg/kg b.wt) was used as the standard drug. Ethanolic
extract at 600 mg/kg b.wt showed signicant analgesic activity
compared to aqueous extract.
Anti-inammatory activity
Itankar,[22] evaluated anti-inammatory activity of methanolic
and hydro-alcoholic aerial part extract (200 and 400 mg/kg
b.wt) using carrageenan-induced paws oedema and cotton
pellet-induced granuloma methods in Swiss albino mice. Of two
extracts, hydro-alcoholic aerial part extract at 400 mg/kg b.wt
showed potent anti-inammatory activity. Kumar et al.[10] studied
anti-inammatory activity of ethanolic and aqueous root extracts
of this plant at two dierent doses (400 and 600 mg/kg b.wt)
using Carrageenan-induced paws oedema method in albino rats
of either sex. Of these two extracts, ethanolic extract at 600 mg/kg
b.wt showed signicant anti-inammatory activity.
Antioxidant activity
Swati et al.[23] evaluated antioxidant activity of methanolic leaf
extract and butanolic, methanolic and dichloromethane root
extracts of F. strobilifera using DPPH radical scavenging activity,
nitric oxide free radical scavenging assay and p-NDA hydroxyl
radical scavenging activity. Root methanolic and dichloromethane
extracts showed low IC50 values of 11.4 and 19.0 µg/mL
respectively in DPPH radical scavenging assay. Higher IC50 values
were found for nitric oxide and hydroxyl free radical scavenging
Alkane
1. n-Tritriacontane [50]
Aurone glycoside
2. Leptosin [51]
Chalcones
3. 3',6'-Dihydroxyl-4,2',4',5'-tetramethoxychalcone [52]
4. Flemiculosin [53]
Epoxy chromenes
5. Flemingin X, Y and Z [45,54]
Flavanones
6. Flemingiaavanone(8,3'-diprenyl5,7,4'trihydroxy
avanone)
[19]
Flavonoid-O-glycosides
7. Phlorizin [45,47]
8. Naringin [45,54]
Flavonols
9. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside [55,56]
10. Quercitrin
11. Quercimeritrin
12. Rutin
Isoavonones
13. Genistein [19]
14. 5,7,4í-Trihydroxy-8,2í,5í-tri(3-methylbut-2-enyl)
isoavone
[57]
15. 5,7,2í,4í-Tetrahydroxyisoavone
Sterols
16. β-Sitosterol [58]
Table 3: Various chemical constituents present in F. strobilifera.

Pharmacognosy Reviews, Vol 18, Issue 36, Jul-Dec, 2024156
Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
by p-NDA method for all the extracts. Low IC50 values was found
in methanolic root extract followed by dichloromethane root
extract in DPPH radical scavenging activity compared to leaf
methanolic extract. Hsieh et al.[28] noted the antioxidant activities
of the aqueous extracts of four Flemingia species such as F.
macrophylla, F. prostrata, F. lineata and F. strobilifera in Taiwan.
Among the all extracts strongest antioxidant activity was showed
by aqueous extract of F. macrophylla. And also, it had higher
content of various secondary metabolites and in vitro antidiabetic
activities than the other extracts.
Kumar et al.[59] evaluated antioxidant activity of chloroform leaf
extract of F. strobilifera using nitric oxide scavenging assay and
found that the extract did not exhibit potent NO free radical
scavenging activity. Further, he showed this extract did not
possess eective hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity against
paracetamol induced hepatic injury in rats.
Gahlot et al.[39] reported ethanolic root extracts of three Flemingia
species such as F. macrophylla, F. chappar and F. strobilifera can be
a potential source of natural antioxidants (Total phenolic content,
total avonoid content) with strong antiradical eciency (ABTS+,
DPPH, NO, SO and reducing power).
Pizon et al.[37] studied antioxidant activity of the hydromethanolic
(80%) and aqueous leaf extracts of F. strobilifera at 4 dierent
concentrations (0.25 mg/mL, 0.5 mg/mL, 1.0 mg/mL and 2.0
mg/mL). Of two concentrations, aqueous extract showed more
signicant activity with low IC50 value (0.25 mg/mL) concentration
which is similar to the standard (ascorbic acid).
Anxiolytic activity
Mahajon et al.[25] evaluated the anxiolytic activity of aqueous
root extract of F. strobilifera at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400
mg/kg b.wt using elevated zero maze test and mirror chamber
test in swiss albino mice. Diazepam was used as the reference
standard drug. Signicant anxiolytic activity was found in both
concentrations compared to control.
Anti-convulsant activity
Gahlot et al.[26] evaluated the anti-convulsant activity of 95%
ethanol extract and four succeeding fractions such as petroleum
ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions of the
roots of F. strobilifera against pentylenetetrazole and maximal
electroshock-induced seizures in swiss albino mice. Diazepam
(4 mg/kg b.wt) and phenytoin (20 mg/kg b.wt) were used as
standard anti-convulsant drugs. Crude ethanol extract (200, 400,
600 mg/kg b.wt) and all the four fractions at 100, 200 and 300 mg/
kg were administered for both tests. High doses of 95% ethanol
crude extract (400 and 600 mg/kg b.wt) and high doses of ethyl
acetate fraction (200 and 300 mg/kg b.wt) signicantly lowered
the duration of convulsions.
Anti-ulcerogenic activity
Kumar et al.[27] investigated the anti-ulcerogenic eect of the
chloroform extract of F. strobilifera root by inducing stress ulcer
in albino wistar rats of either sex at two dierent doses (15 and
30 mg/kg b.wt). For this, ranitidine (25 mg/kg b.wt) was used
as a standard drug and 10% Tween 80 was used as control.
Treatment with chloroform extract at a dose of 15 and 30 mg/
kg body weight increased the gastric mucosal glutathione level,
total protein content as compared to control group whereas there
is signicant reduction in gastric mucosal malonaldehyde levels
when compared to control.
Antimicrobial activity
Grosvenor et al.[60] studied the antimicrobial activity of leaf,
fruit and stem extracts of F. strobilifera which were potent
against Staphylococcus aureus. According to Mahato and
Chaudhary,[61] the root extract of F. strobilifera showed activity
against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Madan et
al.[19] evaluated antimicrobial activities of Flemingiaavanone,
Genistin and β-sitosterol-D glucoside isolated from F. strobilifera
root extracts against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus,
Staphylococcus epidermidis, Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus
aureus), Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
Escheri chia coli) and fungi (Candida albicans). Flemingiaavanone
showed signicant antimicrobial activity against all the six
microorganisms whereas Genistin showed moderate activity.
Nemkul et al.[12] evaluated antimicrobial activity of hexane and
aqueous-methanolic root extracts against eight bacterial strains
such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27263), Staphylococcus
aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Klebsiella
pneumoniae (ATCC 700603), Enterococcus faecalis (ATCC
29212), Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051), Shigella dysenteriae (ATCC
13313) and Salmonella enteric subsp. enteric serovar typhi. e
aqueous-methanolic extract indicated stronger antimicrobial
activity against Escherichia coli with lowest minimum inhibitory
concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values.
Anti-diabetic activity
Hsieh et al.[28] reported anti-diabetic activity of F. strobilifera
aqueous root extract using in vitro assays such as α-glucosidase
and aldose reductase inhibitory activity. Aqueous root extract
showed higher IC50 value of 1468.60±2.10 µg/mL for α-glucosidase
and 112.12±2.32 µg/mL for aldose reductase activity. Genistein
was used as positive control for both the assays.
Wound healing activity
Wound healing activity of 70% ethanolic root extract of F.
strobilifera was evaluated in excision wounds using male albino
rats. Tetracycline ointment was used as the standard drug. e
rate of epithelisation and complete wound closure was daily

Pharmacognosy Reviews, Vol 18, Issue 36, Jul-Dec, 2024 157
Sajeev, et al.: A Holistic Review of Flemingia strobilifera
recorded. e wound closure time was faster in both extract and
standard treated groups than in control group.[29]
Estrogenic activity
Jeong et al.[11] evaluated the estrogenic activity of F. strobilifera
methanolic extract and its bioactive compounds (isoavones,
pterocarpans and chalcones) using in vitro assays such as human
Estrogen Receptor alpha (hERα) binding and estrogen response
element luciferase reporter assays and in vivo uterotrophic
assay. From this study, he concluded that extract and its derived
compounds could be used as promising candidates for the
treatment of post-menopausal symptoms.
From the above review, it is evident that various pharmaceutical
activities of F. strobilifera have been carried out by researchers
(Figure 2). So far 29% ethnobotanical survey was conducted
to document the ethnomedicinal importance of this plant. e
presence of various secondary metabolites such as phenols,
avonoids, tannins etc. was conrmed by 8% studies. In vitro
antioxidant action of the plant was found as 12%. So far, 17%
studies led to isolation of various bioactive compounds with
validation of their pharmacological properties. Both in vitro
(14%) and in vivo (20%) were carried out to conrm various
pharmacological properties of various extracts of this plant
species.
CONCLUSION
Traditionally used medicinal plants play a major role in health
eld due to its extensive source of phytocompounds. Bioactive
compounds derived during secondary metabolism are the factors
behind various pharmacological properties of F. strobilifera, a
potent ethnomedicinal plant used by the tribes for alleviating
several diseases. is review documented geographical
distribution, botanical description, morphological characteristics,
anatomical features, ethnomedicinal importance, economic
benets, phytochemical prole and pharmacological properties
which may contribute to the isolation and characterisation of novel
compounds and development of new drug for the betterment of
society. It is noted that majority of the pharmacological studies so
far done were limited to in vitro and in vivo screening of various
extracts of this plant. However, the mechanism of action of isolated
compounds and their pharmacokinetics are not examined so
far. us, this review identify the research gap prevailing in this
plant species which will be lled by future bioactive compounds
isolation and understanding the mechanism of their action
through various in vitro and in vivo models.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
e authors gratefully acknowledge the nancial support of DST
INSPIRE New Delhi for providing junior research fellowship.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
e authors declare that there is no conict of interest.
ABBREVIATIONS
DPPH: 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl; NO: Nitric Oxide;
SO: Superoxide; ABTS: 2,2 azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazolin
e-6-sulfonic acid); ATCC: American Type Culture Collection.
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Cite this article: Sajeev S, Geetha N, Jeganathan A, Byju A, George AR, Thangasamy K. Flemingia strobilifera (L.) W. T. Aiton: A Holistic Review on Phytochemistry
and Pharmacological Aspects Pharmacog Rev. 2024;18(36):151-8.