Exploring the Medicinal Properties of Gossypium barbadense: A Comprehensive Review of its Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Applications

Gossypium barbadense is a tropical plant with traditional uses and medicinal qualities. Originating in Mexico and Peru, it is usually called "cotton." It is used to cure various ailments, such as ear, respiratory, reproductive, and neurological issues, as well as colds, diarrhea, gout, and skin conditions. Rutin, cinnamaldehyde, and cinnamon alcohol are found in the plant's methanolic extract, supporting its medicinal properties. Traditional folk medicine also uses the herb to treat inflammatory, viral, rheumatoid, and musculoskeletal conditions. The study examines the pharmacological properties of Gossypium barbadense L. (Malvaceae) leaves, including their antimalarial, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihypertensive, respiratory, urinary, and antifungal properties. The extracts were tested against Plasmodium berghei, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and E. coli. Bioactive substances such as flavonoids, phenols, saponins, polysaccharides, and glycosides are found in the ethanolic extract of Gossypium barbadense, according to phytochemical research, and these chemicals enhance the plant's potential for medicinal use. This review gathers pharmacological information for G. barbadense from sources such as Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and PUBMED (1984–2024). The significance of G. barbadense in contemporary agricultural operations and traditional medicine is examined in this research. Increasing our understanding of Gossypium barbadense's vast potential for pharmacological significance is the aim of this review.