Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Properties of Anastatica hierochuntica

Anastatica hierochuntica L. is a desert plant from the Brassicaceae family that grows in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Libya. It is a resurrection plant consumed by many customs to treat various medical conditions. It is used in traditional medicine for the general well-being of pregnant women and to facilitate childbirth. The plant is also used for other ailments experienced by the folks. This review summarizes the traditional uses of A. hierochuntica in treating diseases and the findings on the biological activities of its extract. The literature was obtained from available online databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Out of 531 references obtained from various sources, including research articles, books, theses, and internet sites, only 44 were relevant to the topic. Twenty-one articles discussing the ethnobotanical importance in traditional medicine and 20 reports on the bioactivities. The assays were mostly on hypolipidemic activity, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antiproliferative, gastroprotective, anti-inflammation, and cytotoxic activities. While A. hierochuntica is widely used, studies on this plant are still scarce. Thus, it is important to gather information on the traditional practices and biological activities of the plant. The present work provides a comprehensive review of the current literature on A. hierochuntica pharmacological properties. It reveals a rich body of research supporting the potential in therapeutic uses. Future studies should aim to investigate the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy in animal models and clinical trials to translate its potential benefits into practical therapeutic interventions.