Abutilon indicum

Plants have been used as medicines for thousands of years. They have always been used as a rich source of biologically active drugs. According to WHO (World Health Organization) report, about 80% of the population, mostly in developing countries still depends on traditional medicinal system for their primary health care. The present investigation is focused on the phytochemical investigation of abutilon indicum species for anticancer activity. The Abutilon L. genus of the Malvaceae family comprises about 150 annual or perennial herbs, shrubs or even small trees widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical countries. The aqueous extract of the A. indicum L. showed significant cytotoxic activity against both the selected cancer cell lines viz. human breast cancer cell line MCF 7 and human lung cancer cell line A 549.

India is one of the countries in the world distinguished for immense miscellany amongst plants. Less number of plants is studied for their medicinal values as compared to the total number of different varieties of plants found in the universe. In our present study, the plant Abutilon indicum (Family- Malvaceae) was subjected for determination of physico-chemical parameters. The total ash value, acid soluble ash value, alcohol extractive value and water extractive values were determined. The Abutilon leaves were also subjected for phytochemical screening. Methanolic, petroleum ether and chloroformic extracts were selected for the present study as this plant possesses several secondary metabolites like alkaloids, glycosides, phenols, steroids, terpenoids, saponins, flavanoids and proteins. The petroleum ether extract confirmed the presence of sterols, terpenoids and alkaloids. The chloroform extract showed the presence of alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids and glycosides while the methanol extract confirmed the presence of carbohydrates, flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds, proteins and amino acids.

Abutilon indicum is known as “Atibala” in Sanskrit. Literally “Ati” means very and “Bala” means powerful, referring to the properties of this plant as very powerful. Abutilon indicum is a hairy herb or under shrub distributed throughout the tropica. In traditional systems of medicine, various plant parts such as roots, leaves, flowers, bark, seeds, and stems have been used as antioxidant, demulcent, laxative, diuretic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiulcer agents. The leaves are reported to be used by traditional practitioners in cases of inflammatory joint disorders as folklore remedy. Psychosomatic medicinal use related to scorpion bite treatment is also reported in India. Plants are rich source of secondary metabolites with interesting biological activities. In general these secondary metabolites are an important source with a variety of structural arrangements and properties. It contributes the beneficial effect on health or plays an active role in interest in bioactive secondary metabolites of plant amelioration of disease. The medicinal properties of the plants have been investigated in the recent scientific developments throughout the world, due to their potential antioxidant activity, no side effects and economic viability. Antioxidant property of the plant is mainly due to the presence of phenolic compounds. The importance of medicinal plants and the contribution of phytomedicine to the well- being of a significant number of the world’s population have attracted interest from a variety of disciplines. The present review is therefore an effort to give the detailed survey of literature on its Pharamacognosy, phytochemistry as well as traditional and pharmacological uses.