An Overview of the Phytopharmacological Characteristics of <i>Urochloa Distachya</i> (L.) and Selected Forage Grasses (Poaceae)

Background: The Poaceae families make up the majority of crops and animal feed. We address a comprehensive analysis of the phytopharmacological characteristics of a few species from the Poaceae family, including Urochloa distachya, Brachiaria decubens, Brachiaria brizantha, Eleusine indica, and others. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to offer detailed information on the phytocompounds found in different parts of the plant and their pharmacological activities. Additionally, we explored the previous pharmacological activity of these plants. Methods: A literature review was carried out up to 2023 using various academic databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, Science Direct, Research Gate, PubMed, and Springer. Results: All of the plants discussed above share the same morphological characteristics, such as the presence of spikelets, racemes, lemma, and glume. The GC-MS analysis revealed that petroleum ether of U. distachya contains 15 phytoconstituents. Methanolic leave extract of U. distachya disclosed 26 phytoconstituents by GC-MS analysis. The cold extraction of the whole plant of U. distachya exhibited 18 compounds from GC-MS analysis. The root exudates of B. humidicola contain phytoconstituents which are collected hydroponically from root exudates by semi-preparative HPLC method. Methanolic extract of B. brizantha, A. hybridus, and P. maximum grains were found in Caffeic acid, Ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, and Protocatechuic acid. D. sanguinalis contains three isolated phytoconstituents veratric acid, maltol, and (-)- loliolide. Chemical analyses of D. insularis extract fractions by LC-MS revealed the presence of the flavones tricin and diosmetin. Megathyrsus maximus, B. brizantha, Urochloa ramosa, and D. abyssinica contain the presence of secondary phytoconstituents. Conclusion: This study found and investigated the phytopharmacological properties of Poaceae species. The Poaceae family is rich in bioactive compounds which exhibit significant pharmacological activity like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These findings show that Poaceae plants can be used to provide new drugs and natural health products. Further research is needed to determine these compounds' precise biological activities and mechanisms of action.