A Comprehensive Review of Herbal Formulations of Clitoria ternatea: Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Therapeutic Potential

Clitoria ternatea L., commonly known as butterfly pea or Aparajita, is a perennial climbing plant belonging to the family Fabaceae and is widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It is traditionally recognized as a Medhya-Rasayana for supporting memory and cognitive function. This review highlights its botanical characteristics, phytochemical constituents, medicinal properties, evaluation parameters, and future prospects in herbal formulation development. The plant contains bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, anthocyanins, particularly ternatins, and cyclotides. These constituents have been investigated for their potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, neuroprotective, and anxiolytic activities. Its flowers are also valuable as natural food colourants because of their distinctive blue pigmentation and pH-responsive properties. Pharmacognostic, physicochemical, phytochemical, and biological evaluations are essential for ensuring the identity, purity, safety, and quality of herbal formulations. Chromatographic techniques, including TLC, HPTLC, and HPLC, can support standardization and quality control. Furthermore, the plant has potential applications in pharmaceutical preparations, nutraceuticals, functional foods, and intelligent food packaging. However, most reported pharmacological effects require further validation through toxicological studies and well-designed clinical trials. In conclusion, C. ternatea is a promising medicinal plant for herbal formulation development, but standardized preparations and evidence-based research are necessary to establish its safety, efficacy, and therapeutic applications.