Review on Crotalaria L.

Abstract

Crotalaria L. (Fabaceae) is one of the largest genus of Papilionoideae comprising of about 500 species. It comprises phytochemicals such as alkaloids, tannins, saponins, pyrrolidazone alkaloid, flavonoids etc. This review was performed to open a new way for the upliftment of medicinal uses of Crotalaria L. The phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activity of Crotalaria L., species including C. verrucosa, C. juncea, C. pallida, C. retusa and C. sessiliflora, focusing on potential therapeutics to detail their activities against many indications. Good medicinal value in the treatment of skin infection, fever and ulcer. Widely used in traditional veterinary pharmacy in preventing liver disease. Crotalaria some species are fallow as crops consumed by human being entirely the whole world. Crotalaria has highly nutritional value as rich source of β-carotene, which is a precursor of vitamin A. The foliage has high amounts of calcium, mineral, iron, thiamine, riboflavin, vit-B6, niacin and ascorbic acid, while the seeds and roots are considerably toxic. The pharmacological activities such as antibacterial, anti- inflammatory, thrombolytic, antipyretic, anti-diabetic, CNS depressant, antifertility etc. were evaluated using ager well diffusion, heat induced of protein denaturation and hemolysis, HRBC clot denaturation, yeast induced pyrexia, allowance induced type II hyperglycemia, hole cross and open field test and in-vitro method. This work may helpful to researcher for further study. This review was designed to highlight the actual chemical constituent and pharmacological activities of Crotalaria L.