Medicinal Potential and Scientific Validations of Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. (Kampillaka): A Review

Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) M Arg is one of the endangered plants in the central ecoregion. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. Mallotus philippinensis (Lam.) Muell. Arg. (Family: Euphorbiaceae) is a medicinally important common perennial shrub used in indigenous medicine. It is distributed mainly in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Though it is a drug of herbal origin, it has been grouped into one of the eight Sadharana rasa groups [Glands and hairs of Mallotus philippinensis (Kampillaka), Arsenic (Somala), Ammonium Chloride (Navasagara), Cowri (Kaparda), Amber (Agnijaara), Red Oxide of Mercury (Girisindoora), Cinnabar (Hingula), Litharge (Muddaarashringa)] in Rasa-shastra (Ayurveda study of minerals and metals) of Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia. M. philippinensis is included in Virecana ghana (group of medicinal plants or products use to purgation therapy) of Ayurveda medicine. Especially roots, fruits (also as fruit powder) and the leaves are used for medicinal purposes. Leaves are bitter and have a cooling and appetizing nature. The glands/hairs of the fruit and the leaves are recommended for dermal problems. So far, scientific studies have been carried out to prove and look-into the pharmacological activities of M. philippinensis. Here, an attempt is taken to summarize the distribution, morphology, Ayurveda and traditional uses, and scientific investigations on M. philippinensis. Researchers have scientifically proven the Antimicrobial activity, Hepatoprotective activity, Anti-Leukemic activity, Anti-HIV activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Anti-filarial activity, Analgesic and hypnotic activity, Antiproliferative activity, Antifertility activity, Purgative activity and Anthelmintic activity and Antiallergic activity against different parts of the M. philippinensis.