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A Review on the Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical, Pharmacological Aspects of Cleome gynandra L.


Authors : P. Gowthaman; Dr. R. Thiruvenkatasubramaniam; Dr. B. Sangameswaran

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 8 - August


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/wrbhrrv3

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26aug1354

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : Cleome gynandra L., commonly known as spider plant or “Nalvelai,” is a nutritionally and medicinally important leafy vegetable belonging to the family Capparaceae. It is widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions and is traditionally used for managing various health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, epilepsy, and parasitic infections. The plant is also consumed as a vegetable owing to its nutritional content and antioxidant potential. Phytochemical investigations have identified diverse bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, vitamins, and minerals, which may contribute to its therapeutic properties. Several experimental studies have reported antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. This review summarizes the botanical, cultivation, pharmacognostical, phytochemical, nutritional, traditional, and pharmacological aspects of C. gynandra L., with particular emphasis on its antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. The review also identifies important research gaps, including the need for standardized extracts, isolation of active constituents, mechanistic studies, toxicity assessment, bioavailability evaluation, and advanced in-silico and in-vivo investigations. Overall, C. gynandra represents a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in natural-product-based therapeutic research.

Keywords : Cleome gynandra L.; Pharmacognosy; Morphology; Cultivation; Phytochemicals; Ethnomedicinal Uses; Antioxidant Activity; Antidiabetic Activity; Anticancer activity; Pharmacological potential; In-Silico Studies.

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Cleome gynandra L., commonly known as spider plant or “Nalvelai,” is a nutritionally and medicinally important leafy vegetable belonging to the family Capparaceae. It is widely distributed throughout tropical and subtropical regions and is traditionally used for managing various health conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, inflammation, epilepsy, and parasitic infections. The plant is also consumed as a vegetable owing to its nutritional content and antioxidant potential. Phytochemical investigations have identified diverse bioactive constituents, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins, vitamins, and minerals, which may contribute to its therapeutic properties. Several experimental studies have reported antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and anticancer activities. This review summarizes the botanical, cultivation, pharmacognostical, phytochemical, nutritional, traditional, and pharmacological aspects of C. gynandra L., with particular emphasis on its antioxidant and antidiabetic potential. The review also identifies important research gaps, including the need for standardized extracts, isolation of active constituents, mechanistic studies, toxicity assessment, bioavailability evaluation, and advanced in-silico and in-vivo investigations. Overall, C. gynandra represents a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential applications in natural-product-based therapeutic research.

Keywords : Cleome gynandra L.; Pharmacognosy; Morphology; Cultivation; Phytochemicals; Ethnomedicinal Uses; Antioxidant Activity; Antidiabetic Activity; Anticancer activity; Pharmacological potential; In-Silico Studies.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - October - 2026

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