none 10.31254/phyto.2026.15209 BioMed Research Publishers BioMed Research Publishers 16195 194022391 316921 20260428131321781 10.31254 2026-04-28T13:13:30Z 2026-04-28T13:13:28Z 0 The Journal of Phytopharmacology J Phytopharmacol 2320480X 10.31254/phyto https://phytopharmajournal.com/ 04 27 2026 15 2 Ravindra G. Mali Shree Swaminarayan Institute of Pharmacy and Research, Kalol, Gandhinagar - 382725, Gujarat, India https://orcid.org/0009-0004-2942-8913 Kalpesh Yeole Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM NMIMS Global University, Dhule - 424001, Maharashtra, India https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4454-2472 Chaitali Pardeshi Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM NMIMS Global University, Dhule - 424001, Maharashtra, India Raju Wadekar Department of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM NMIMS Global University, Dhule - 424001, Maharashtra, India https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9154-4374 C. procera (Aiton) W.T. Aiton is a widely distributed xerophytic medicinal shrub inhabiting arid and semi-arid parts of Asia and Africa, and is widely used in indigenous systems of medicine to manage several pathological conditions. This review consolidates the available literature in relation to its ethnobotanical significance, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities in an endeavour to facilitate future scientific investigation. Ethnomedicinal reports describe its utilisation for the management of a vast array of conditions, including inflammation, diseases of the skin, respiratory tract and digestive system, as well as infestation by different kinds of parasites across diverse ethnic systems. Chromatographic analysis shows the presence of biologically active compounds like cardenolides (calotropin, uscharin, etc.), flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, etc., which attribute its biological properties. Pharmacological activities evaluated so far, both in vitro and in vivo, have proved significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antitumor and antiparasitic as well as anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective actions which occur through different pathways such as inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, alleviation of oxidative stress and induction of apoptosis, etc. But toxic cardiac glycosides present in it make strict dose standardization a prerequisite. Clinical trials remain lacking, though enough pre-clinical evidence is available; therefore, further research work with standardised materials of C. procera, safety evaluation and clinical trials will be fruitful. It may prove to be an important source for drug discovery in phytomedicine. 04 27 2026 181 191 1 10.31254/biomed-crossmark-policy www.biomedresearch.org false 10.31254/phyto.2026.15209 https://phytopharmajournal.com/articles/abstracts/900/year=2026&vol=15&issue=2