Genus Primula and its role in phytomedicine; a systematic review

Abstract

Background: Primula is one of the prevalent and complex genus of family Primulaceae. Plants of Genus Primula are used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments. These plants are mostly growing in soggy meadows to alpine slopes. Various species are distributed in Pakistan, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia and South America. Purpose: This review is presented to provides up-to-date research progress in, phytochemistry, pharmacology of Genus Primula. It provides a strong basis for future scientific research in phytomedicine. Method: The relevant literature on Genus Primula was collected by resources i.e., scientific databases including Pubmed, Google Scholar, Google, ACS, Sci hub, Web of science, Science Direct databases and Encyclopedia. Results: Traditionally plants are used to treat eye aliments, respiratory tract infections, headache, epileptic seizures, insomnia, skin problems, ulcers, urinary disorders, expectorant and wound healing process etc. Alkaloids, flavonoids, flavones, glycosides, saponins, sapogenins, tannins, quinolones, terpenes, polysaccharides, volatile oils, coumarins, fatty acid, fatty alcohols, phytosterols, sugar alcohol, miconidin, fatty acid ester and unsaturated higher fatty acids are the medicinally important phytoconstituents of genus species of Primula. Pharmacological studies have shown their prominent biological activities such as antibacterial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiviral, antileishmanial, antiepileptic, anticancer, cardioprotactive, antiproliferative, anxiolytic, and contraceptive. Conclusion: Species of genus Primula are widely employed in traditional medicine system. It contains potential phytoconstituents which are being used in modern pharmacological research area. This review revealed that primulas are important medicinal plants and have pivotal role in phytomedicine.

Keywords

• Phytoconstituents
• Bioactivities
• Folk medicines
• Phytomedicines