Bougainvillea glabra: A Brief Review on Phytochemistry, and Pharmacology

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine in India that places an emphasis on the healing properties of plants. One of the plants that is said to be beneficial in Ayurvedic practice is the Bougainvillea glabra. Bougainvillea, has been studied for its purported medical benefits. These include its ability to fight cancer, diabetes, hepatotoxicity, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, bacteria, and ulcers. Therapeutic effects were said to originate from the plant's phytoconstituents, which include alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolics, phlobotannins, quinones, saponins, tannins, and terpenoids. Bougainvinones, pinitol, quercetagetin, quercetin, and terpinolene are also significant components that contribute to the healing effects. Databases like Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Sci Finder, and Scopus were scoured for articles detailing these newly discovered B. glabra traits. This article provides an assessment of the evidence for and against using B. glabra as a traditional medicinal herb. Keywords- Phytoconstituents, Bougainvillea glabra, Ayurvedic practice, traditional medicinal herb, Therapeutic effects.