The genus Didymorcapus Wall.comprises over 100 species, which are widely distributed from the Himalayas to the Malay Peninsula. Species in this genus have been used in traditional medicine as single herbs or in polyherbal formulations to treat renal diseases, chronic wounds, traumatic injuries, etc.
Researchers from the Eastern African Plant Flora and Taxonomy Research Group of Wuhan Botanical Garden critically assessed the available literature on phytochemistry, thenobotanical and pharmacological uses, possible mechanisms of action, and toxicology of the plant species from the genus Didymocarpus to enlighten the future research.
Findings from this study reveal that 17 species of this genus have applications in traditional systems of medicine in several Asian countries. Over 166 chemical compounds have been isolated from this genus, including terpenoids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and others. The genus Didymocarpus is associated with various pharmacological activities, including antiurolithiatic, nephro-protective, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, wound healing, and antioxidant activities.
This paper provides a full-scale review of botanical updates, traditional herbal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology of the genus Didmocarpus, which may provide a basis for better exploitation of the medicinal value of the genus Didymocarpus in the future.
Consolata Nanjala, a Kenyan student, is the first author. Professor Hu Guangwan is the corresponding author. Several students from the group took part in this study.
Graphical abstract of the research (Image by Consolata Nanjala)
