Vol. 7, Issue 12 (2018)

Author(s):
Prabhat Jain and Geeta Parkhe

Abstract:
Medicinal plants are necessary part of human society since the civilization started. Medicinal plants are the boon of nature to treat a number of ailments of human beings. Plants contain bioactive molecules and thus can provide lead structures for the development of alternative medicines to available toxic commercial drugs with better effectively and increased safety. Rumex, a genus of polygonaceae family, is very prevalent worldwide. There are about 200 species of this genus, many of which are beneficial and used as vegetables and for their medicinal properties. Root, seed, leaf, fresh plant juice, aerial parts etc. are the parts generally used. Rumex nepalensis Spreng. (Polygonaceae) commonly known as Nepal Dock has wide-spectrum therapeutic potencies and is extensively used for centuries in traditional medicine systems. The leaves of this plant are edible and a rich source of natural antioxidants. They act as a possible food supplement and are largely used in pharmaceutical industry. Extracts and metabolites from this plant exhibit many pharmacological activities. Due to its remarkable biological activities, it has the potential to act as a rich source of drug against life threatening diseases. However, more studies are needed to scientifically validate the traditional uses of this plant, beside isolating and identifying their active principles and characterizing the mechanisms of action. We present herein a decisive account of its botany, ecology, traditional uses, phytoconstituents profile and major pharmacological activities reported in recent years and therefore will provide a source of information on this plant for further studies.