CROSSANDRA INFUNDIBULIFORMIS (L.) NEES: AN UPDATED REVIEW OF ETHNOBOTANY, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOGNOSY, PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL

Abstract

Crossandra infundibuliformis (L.) Nees, belonging to the family Acanthaceae, is a perennial tropical ornamental shrub popularly known as the firecracker flower. Although widely cultivated for its attractive orange flowers and ornamental importance, the plant has also received considerable attention because of its traditional medicinal applications and diverse pharmacological properties. Different parts of the plant, particularly leaves, flowers and aerial parts, have been investigated for antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antidiabetic, anthelmintic, aphrodisiac, anticancer, anti-tubercular, wound-healing, anti-solar and anti-ulcer activities. Phytochemical investigations have demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, steroids, glycosides, carbohydrates and other secondary metabolites. Apigenin has also been reported in phytochemical databases associated with the species. Recent research has extended the pharmacological relevance of the plant to nanoparticulate drug delivery, green synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, cellular wound-healing models and GC–MS-based characterization. Experimental studies suggest that antioxidant and antimicrobial mechanisms may contribute to several of its biological effects. However, much of the available evidence remains based on crude extracts and preliminary in-vitro or animal studies, with limited information concerning isolated active compounds, molecular mechanisms, pharmacokinetics, standardized extracts, toxicity, clinical efficacy and quality control. This review summarizes the botanical characteristics, ethnomedicinal importance, pharmacognostic features, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activities, formulation approaches and future research perspectives of C. infundibuliformis. The available evidence supports further systematic investigation of this plant as a potential source of bioactive molecules and standardized herbal preparations.