Keeping in view the overall pharmaceutical uses of Jatropha curcas such as medicinal properties, insecticidal properties along with and benefits on the rural and urban economy,its status, constraints are reviewed in this paper for planning the future research and development strategies. Jatropha curcas, a member of the Euphorbiaceae is a multipurpose tree of significant economic importance because of its several industrial and medicinal uses. The Jatropha as an industry is in the initial stage of development and systematic and considered efforts are being made for its promotion. There are areas in our country where interest in this plant is especially strong because lot of waste lands are available there. Preparations of all parts of the plant, including seeds, leaves and bark, fresh or as adecoction, are used in traditional medicine and for veterinary purposes. The oil has a strong purgative action and is also widely used for skin diseases and to soothe pain such as that caused by rheumatism. Leaves are regarded as antiparasitc, applied to scabies; rubefacient for paralysis, rheumatism; also applied to hard tumours. Leaves also show antileukemic activity. Compounds that have been isolated from Jatropha curcas leaves include the flavonoids apigenin and its glycosides vitexin and isovitexin, the sterols stigmasterol, â -D-sitosterol and its â -D-glucoside.The methanolic extract of leaves of Jatropha curcas was reported to have anticrustcean activity, DNA intercalating effect and also anti-viral activity. An ethanolic extract of the defatted leaves and twigs of Jatropha curcas show antileukemic activity. The butanolic extract of dried leaves of Jatropha curcas and decoction of the dried root bark was reported to have antispasmodic activity. The leaf extract has been confirmed to possess disinfectant/antiparasitic activity. The extracts of dried leaves, dried latex and dried seeds of Jatropha curcas have been investigated and proved to have antibacterial activity. Latex has antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichi coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes and Candida albicans. Methanol extract of physic nut leaves afforded moderate protection for cultured human lymphoblastoid cells against the cytopathic effects of human immunodeficiency virus. Extract of the leaves showed potent cardiovascular action in guinea pigs and might be a possible source of beta-blocker agent. For exploiting any plant for the industrial purpose, it becomes necessary to have complete know-how about its biological and chemical properties along with all other applications for maximum utilization of its industrial potential. At present the farmers are unable to obtain optimum economic benefits from this plant particularly for its various by-products. Consequently, the Jatropha growers are totally unaware of the industrial potential and economics of this plant required for its commercial exploitation. To expoit the Jatropha to maximum extent, it is necessary to select and multiply the best genotypes for better quality biodiesel in a sustainable manner
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