PHYTOCHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL INSIGHTS INTO THE GENUS ATRIPLEX: A HALOPHYTIC TREASURE IN ETHNOMEDICINE

Halophytes have garnered increasing attention due to their remarkable adaptation to saline and arid environments, as well as their capacity to produce a wide range of bioactive metabolites. Among them, the genus Atriplex (saltbush), comprising 300-400 species of angiosperms, is widely distributed across arid and semi-arid regions worldwide and holds significant ethnopharmacological importance. Traditionally, several Atriplex species have been used in folk medicine for the treatment of digestive, respiratory and urinary disorders, as well as for general health maintenance. Modern pharmacological studies further support these uses, reporting diverse biological activities including anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, cytotoxic, antifungal and insecticidal effects. These properties are largely attributed to the genus’s phytochemical richness, particularly flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids and polyphenols. Although considerable evidence supports the pharmacological potential of Atriplex, many species remain underexplored. Significant gaps persist in the mechanistic elucidation, development of standardised extracts, and clinical validation, which collectively limit their translational application. To address these shortcomings, this review compiles and critically analyzes current knowledge on the ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activities of Atriplex, with particular emphasis on species native to Egypt. A comprehensive literature survey spanning the period from 1985 to 2025 was conducted to capture both historical and recent advancements in the field. The novelty of this review lies in its integrative approach, which combines ecological, phytochemical, and pharmacological perspectives to provide a holistic evaluation of the genus. Future research should focus on mechanistic studies and translational strategies to advance the genus’s potential in drug discovery, nutraceutical innovation and saline agriculture, thereby fully leveraging its ecological resilience and therapeutic promise.