"A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON Plectranthus amboinicus: BOTANICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, AND PHARMACOLOGICAL INSIGHTS"

Abstract: The traditional systems of medicine, including Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani, have conventionally employed herbal drugs and about 80% of the world’s population continues to use plant medicines due to their availability and fewer side effects. The majority of the modern allopathic medicines derive their active principles from plants, which indicates the contribution of natural products to drug discovery. This is a review of Plectranthus amboinicus, which is a highly documented medicinal member of the family Lamiaceae and the review provides information on its botanical description, phytochemicals, pharmacognostic details, and potential medicinal value. The plant is world-renowned for medicinally, gastronomically and aromatically serving various societies. Morphology based on microscopy and scanning electron microscopy validates some structural features needed to identify taxonomically and pursue pharmacognostic study. Besides, phytochemical screening also confirms the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and other bioactive molecules, which gives credence to its pharmacological significance. It is the goal of this current review to see more light on P. amboinicus as a potential medicinal plant of multiple uses.