Breynia retusa (Euphorbiaceae) is growing naturally in tropical and sub tropical region of world. It contains active principles like alkaloids, glycosides, resins, tannins, etc which are concentrated in parts like bark, leaves, roots, seeds. Plants of this family have been used to treat cancer. Leaf juice is taken for body pain, skin inflammation, hyperglycemia, diarrhoea and as diuretic. Bark as astringent and diuretic, fruits have been used for dysentery, roots for fits and meningitis, twigs for toothache and in promoting lactation. The juice of the stem is used for conjunctivitis. It is an astringent to the bowels and also useful in inflammation and diseases of the blood. Leaves employed to hasten suppuration. So far, various phytochemical reported from this species such as reducing sugars, phenolics (most abundant phenols are gallic acid, ellagic acid, coumaric acid, ferullic acid and vanillic acid), alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, flavones and saponins, proteins. In this review importance of this species and scope for taking research with this plant is discussed.
Loading....