Clerodendron Inerme An Update of Its Indigenous Uses Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
Clerodendron Inerme An Update of Its Indigenous Uses Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
Clerodendron Inerme An Update of Its Indigenous Uses Phytochemistry and Pharmacology
- A Review
ABSTRACT
Clerodendron Inerme L belonging to family Verbenaceae is very widely distributed in tropical
and subtropical regions of the world and is comprised of small trees, shrubs and herbs. Ethno-medicinal
importance of various species of Clerodendron genus has been reported in various indigenous systems of
medicine and as folk medicines. Different parts of this plant are traditionally claimed to be used for the
treatment of cough, skin rashes boils and fever. They are also used to treat umbilical cord infection and for
cleaning uterus in local medicine. There has been a tremendous interest in this plant as evidenced by the
voluminous work in last few decades. Therefore, It has been aimed to compile an up to date and
comprehensive review of Clerodendron Inerme that covers its traditional and folk medicine uses,
phytochemistry and pharmacology including various preclinical and clinical studies.
INTRODUCTION
Plants have been an integral part of human society since the start of civilization. The
role of traditional medicines in the solution of health problems is invaluable on a global level.
Medicinal plants continue to provide valuable therapeutic agents, both in modern and in
traditional medicines1. India is rich in its plants diversity. A number of plants have been
documented for their medicinal potential, which are in use by the traditional healers, herbals
folklorists and in Indian systems of medicine namely, Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha apart from
Homeopathy and Electropathy. These plant species play major role in the health care of the
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Author for correspondence; E-mail: suryatony@yahoo.co.in
204 S. P. Gupta et al.: Clerodendron inerme: An Update of….
nation’s population2. With the associated side effects of the modern medicines, traditional
medicines are gaining importance and are now being studied to find the scientific basis of
their therapeutic actions3. Research work on medicinal plants has intensified and information
on these plants has been exchanged. This research will go a long way in the scientific
exploration of medicinal plants for the benefit of man and is likely to decrease the
dependence on synthetic drugs4.
Botanical description
The plant is always in flower. The flowers are white with spreading five corolla lobes, 3 cm
long white tubes and long purple stamens. As the specific name implies, the stems are
smooth and are devoid of thorns. Leaves ovate to elliptical (5-10 cm) long, acute to
acuminate tip, green, smooth, slightly shiny upper 2 surface, pinnate venation, margins
entire, leaves opposite, simple. Cyme or umbel usually comprised of 3 flowers joined at a
common base point; corolla white, fused, with 5 lobes; stamens 4, reddish to purple and
upwardly curved. Fruit green turning black, 1 – 1.5 cm long, obovoid.9
Phytochemistry
O OH HO OH
H O
O O
O
H
HO
OH
COOH OH O
O
Clerodermic acid Uncinatone HO
HO OH
Iridiod diglucoside
The phenolic profile of the plant revealed the presence of β-benzyl alcohol, β-benzyl
alcohol-D-glucoside, neolignan, darendoside-B, phenyl propanoids, vanillic acid, anisic acid,
para-hydroxy benzoic acid and gallic acid27. Flavonoids are another class of compounds,
which are mainly present in Clerodendron species and they are also responsible for few
biological activities. The major flavonoids present are cynaroside, 5-hydroxy-4’-7-
206 S. P. Gupta et al.: Clerodendron inerme: An Update of….
OH OH
HO O HO O
H3CO
OH O OH O
Hispudilin Apigenin
Carbohydrates like glucose, fructose and sucrose are reported. Other constituents
such as ribosome-inactivating protein, salidroside, jinoside-D and acetoside have also been
isolated33.
Biological activities
Anti-inflammatory activity
Clerodendrum has been reported for its antimalarial activities because of the
presence of a bitter principle. C. inerme also inhibited the growth of larvae of Ades aegypti,
Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex pipiens at 80 and 100 ppm concentration of petroleum
ether and ether extracts35,36.
Antioxidant activity
Dried, aerial parts of C. inerme showed potent antiviral activity against Hepatitis B
Int. J. Chem. Sci.: 8(1), 2010 207
virus with an ED50 value of 16 µg/mL38. Essential oil obtained from leaves of the plant
showed antifungal activity against variety of fungal species such as Alternaria species,
Aspergillus species, Cladosporium herbarum, Cunnimghamella echinulata, Helminthos-
porium saccharii, Microsporumgypseum, Mucor mucedo, Penicillium digitatum, Rhizopus
nigricans, Trichophyton rubrum and Trichothecium roseum39. Alcoholic extracts of leaves
and flowers of C. inerme also exhibited antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and
Staphylococcus aureus40.
Antihaemolytic activity
The leaf extract of the plant has been shown to contain insecticidal properties against
mosquitoes. Various solvent extracts of plant materials have been tested against mosquitoes.
Therefore, it was thought rewarding to investigate the dry powder of leaf material as source
of insecticidal properties against the mosquito larvae. The effect of sundried leaf powder of
Clerodendron inerme against fourth instar larvae of A. aegypti42.
Anti-carcinogenesic activity
3-Epicaryoptin isolated from the leaves is responsible for growth inhibition and
antifeedant activities in housefly and mosquito. Three new neo-clerodane diterpenoids,
namely inermes A, inermes B and 14,15-dihydro-15b-methoxy-3-epicaryoptin were found in
the hexane extract of aerial parts of C. inerme. 14, 15-Dihydro-15-hydroxy-3-epicaryoptin
has also been isolated as an epimeric mixture45
208 S. P. Gupta et al.: Clerodendron inerme: An Update of….
CONCLUSION
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