PHCOG REV. REVIEW ARTICLE Ethnobotanical survey of genus Leucas Surya Narayan Das1, Varanasi Jaganath Patro1, Subas Chandra Dinda2 Departments of Pharma-analysis and Quality assurance, Gayatri College of Pharmacy, Jamadarpali, Sambalpur, 1Department of Pharmchemistry, Roland Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Berhampur, 2Department of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Berhampur University, Berhampur, Odisha, India Submitted: 12-04-2012 Revised: 16-05-2012 Published: 23-08-2012 ABSTRACT Plants of genus Leucas (Lamiaceae) are widely distributed throughout Asia, Africa, and India. The plant is used in traditional medicine to cure many diseases such as cough, cold, diarrhea, and inflammatory skin disorder. A variety of phytoconstituents have been isolated from the Leucas species, which include lignans, flavonoids, coumarins, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids, and aliphatic long-chain compounds. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-diarrheal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities have been reported in the extracts of these plants and their phytoconstituents. An overview of the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological investigations on the Leucas species is presented in this review. Key words: Bioactive constituents, ethno medical information, Leucas INTRODUCTION Plants are indispensible sources of medicine since time immemorial. Studies on natural products are aimed to determine medicinal values of plants by exploration of existing scientific knowledge, traditional uses, and discovery of potential chemotherapeutic agents. Phytochemicals are used as templates for lead optimization programs, which are intended to make safe and effective drugs.[1] Plants of genus Leucas (Lamiaceae) have been widely employed by the traditional healers to cure many diseased conditions, which insinuated that this genus has immense potential for the discovery of new drugs or lead molecules. The genus Leucas comprises about 80 species.[2] The highest species diversity has been found in East Africa.[3] In India, 43 species are available.[4] Plants of genus Leucas are generally shrubs, subshrubs, annual herbs, or perennial herbs with woody root and/or stem base. Leaves are opposite, entire, or with spiky lobes, oval shaped with tapered end, petiolated, or sometimes without intervening stalk. The axillary or terminal inflorescence is usually with indeterminate augmentation. Bracteoles are roughly Address for correspondence: Professor Surya Narayan Das, Gayatri College of Pharmacy, Jamadarpali, Sambalpur, Odisha, India. E-mail: suryadas2007@ rediffmail.com, suryadas2007@gmail.com Access this article online Quick Response Code: Website: www.phcogrev.com DOI: 10.4103/0973-7847.99943 100 erect. The calyx shape varies within the genus (often tuberlar shape); sometimes calyx enlarges into fruits. Calyx comprises of five connate sepals (one upper, two lateral, and two lower) and 5–20 secondary lobes. Whitish hairs are generally present on the outer surface of the upper lip of the corolla, although yellowish cream color or red hair can also be present in some species.[5,3] The investigated parts of the Leucas species include roots, seeds, stem, leaves, and whole plants. The present review not only covers phytochemical progress made on the plants of genus Leucas over the past few decades but also incorporates their uses in different formulations and in the treatment of various diseases by the traditional healers across the globe. Traditional use of selected species The plants of genus Leucas have been used by the tribals in various parts of Asia, Africa, and India. Widely employed different species, their parts, and mode of application/administration in various diseases are presented as follows. Ethnomedical information Leucas aspera (lamiaceae) Hot water extract of Leucas aspera is used orally as stimulant, anthelmintic, laxative, and diaphoretic.[1] It is also used orally for the treatment of headache, asthma, and bronchitis.[6] Hot water extract of entire plant is also used to treat inflammation, dyspepsia, and jaundice.[2] Entire plant extract is used orally to treat scabies, psoriasis, and snake bite.[7] The plant Leucas aspera is externally used as an insect repellant.[8] Leucas aspera and Ocimum canum are externally used to fumigate dwellings.[7] A handful of flowers roasted in ghee are given orally (5–10 g once a day) for treatment of cough and colds.[7] The flowers are crushed and Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas aroma is inhaled in the opposite nostril for the relief of migraine. [7] The juice of leaves is used aurally for ear pain[9] and for pus discharge from ear.[9] The paste of leaves ground with chalk is applied to tooth cavity (periodontal) to prevent decay.[9] The decoction of leaves is used nasally as an antivenin.[9] Infusion of leaves is used externally to treat scabies.[10] Leaf paste mixed with turmeric is used to heal wounds and boils.[11] The decoction of roots, stem, and inflorescence of Leucas aspera, stem of Phyla nodiflora, and roots of Ocimum gratissimum are used orally for high fevers,[12] for influenza,[13] and for malarial fevers.[7] Leucas cephalotes (lamiaceae) The decoction of dried aerial parts of plant (India) is used orally for diarrhea.[7] The decoction of entire plant (India) is used orally to reduce fever.[14] The H2O extract of entire plant (India) is used orally as an appetizer.[15] The flowers and leaves are applied externally as poultice to treat headache.[16] The decoction of flower heads in Nepal is used orally to treat jaundice.[17] The decoction of flowers in India is used orally as an emmenagouge.[10] Hot water extract of dried flowers in India is used orally for coughs.[18] Hot water extract of dried flowers in India is used orally for colds.[19] The juice of unripe fruits (India) is used externally to treat scabies.[20] The juice of leaves is used nasally as an antivenin.[21] The juice of leaves is used externally as an antivenin.[22] The dried leaves are used orally as a blood purifier.[23] Leucas indica (lamiaceae) The flowers are used orally to treat typhoid fever.[24] The leaves are pounded with garlic, pepper, and leaves of Piper longum and made into pills and used orally to treat typhoid fever.[25] Leaves along with tender shoots of Momoridica charantia, pepper, garlic, and common salt are pounded, in equal quantities, made into pills, and taken orally once a day for 9 consecutive days to treat pneumonia.[10] The leaves with those of Alternanthera sessilis in equal quantity are pounded with “ghee” and the extract is applied to eyes, and paste made into pills, which are taken for 40 days orally to treat night blindness.[26] Leucas lanata (lamiaceae) The plant juice is used orally for treatment of headache.[27] The plant juice is used orally for treatment of stomach-ache.[8] Leaves are made into a paste and applied externally for cuts and wounds. [28] A poultice of leaves is placed on affected area to promote exudation of pus from boils.[29] The juice is used orally as an antidote for reptile poison.[30] Leucas lavandulaefolia (lamiaceae) The decoction is used orally for treatment of diarrhea.[15] The juice of plant mixed with Rubia cordioflia and Nicotiana tahbacum is used externally as an antivenin.[31] The infusion of plant is used orally to treat fever. The infusion of plant is used orally to treat headache.[32] One handful of Leucas linifolia plants, 50 g Brassica campestris seeds, and one average Curcuma longa rhizome are ground into a paste, which is applied externally to the forehead daily at sunrise for 7 days to treat migraine.[33] The infusion of plant is used orally for cough.[34] The infusion of plant is used externally for skin diseases. Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 [11] The infusion of plant is used externally for painful swellings. The infusion of plant is used orally for inflammations.[36] The infusion of plant is used externally for psoriasis.[6] The infusion of plant is used externally for chronic skin eruptions.[37] [35] Leucas martinicensis (lamiaceae) Hot water extract is used orally for gastroenteritis, cholera,[38] malaria,[39] syphilis,[40] leprosy,[41] diarrhea,[42] and dysentery. [43] The leaves are also used orally for pain during pregnancy. [44] The infusion is used ophthalmically for proptosis, [45] for conjunctivitis,[44] and for corneal disease.[46] Leucas mollissima (lamiaceae) The leaf juice is applied externally (rubbed on forehead) in headache.[43] The decoction is used orally to treat diabetes mellitus. [31] The decoction is used orally to treat hepatitis.[47] The hot water extract is used orally to treat liver diseases.[48] Leucas plukenetii (lamiaceae) The leaves are used orally for curing throat troubles.[31] The twig is orally used as food.[49] Leucas stelligera (lamiaceae) The plant is used orally in females as an emmenagouge.[50] Leucas urticaefolia (lamiaceae) The decoction is used orally to expel placenta after delivery in cows.[51] The decoction is used orally to expel placenta after delivery in buffalos.[52] Leucas zeylanica (lamiaceae) The plant is externally rubbed on abdomen after child birth in human pregnant.[53] COMMON COMPOUNDS REPORTED IN GENUS LEUCAS Phenolic compounds Plant phenolics are a structurally diverse set of compounds responsible for organoleptic properties of plants with a wide range of therapeutic activity. They occur in plants in the form of simple phenolic acids or as complex structures associated with the oxygenated heterocyclic ring, such as benzoic acid derivatives, stilbenes, tannins, lignans, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and coumarins.[54] In plants of the genus Leucas, phenolics are found in abundance, Organic acids, namely, methoxybenzyl benzoate, 4-hydroxy benzoic acid, and urticic acid have been isolated from the chloroform fraction of methanolic extract of whole plant of Leucas urticifolia.[54] Mishra et al. reported 4-(24¢-hydroxy1¢oxo-5¢- propyltetracosanyl) - phenol from the shoots of Leucas aspera.[55] Sadhu et al. isolated eight lignans, namely, nectandrin B, (-)-chicanine, meso-dihydroguaiaretic acid, macelignan, myristargenol B, erythro-2-(4-allyl-2, 6- dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-(4hydroxy-3-methoxy phenyl) propan-1-ol, machilin C, (7R, 8R)-, and (7S, 8S)-licarin from the methanol extract of the whole plant of 101 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas Leucas aspera.[36] Flavonoids, another important class of phenolics featuring the linkage of two benzene rings by a chain of 3 carbon atoms so as to form pyran or pyrone ring, play a predominant role in plant physiology and serve as light screens, antioxidants, enzyme inhibitors, precursors of toxic substances, and pigments.[56,57] In the genus Leucas, many reports reveal the occurrence of flavonoids in. the conjugated form (that is with sugar). However, free flavonoid baicalein was reported in the ethereal fraction of hydro-methanolic extract of Leucas. aspera flower[58] and a flavone – cirsimaritin were reported in Leucas mollissima Wall. var. Chinensis Benth.[59] Sadhu et al. reported acacetin, chrysoeriol, and apigenin from the Leucas aspera.[36] 5-hydroxy-7, 4¢- dimethoxyflavone, pillion, gonzalitosin I, and tricin were reported from Leucas cephalotes.[60] Coumarins, another class of plant phenolics, comprised phenlypropanoid system, are found to be physiologically effective for animals as well as humans.[61] Natural coumarins such as coumarsabin, 8ethoxycoumarsabin, siderin and a novel compound coumarleucasin are isolated from acetone extract of Leucas inflata roots.[62] Steroids Sterols structurally comprise of perhydrocyclopenta- (O) phenantherene ring system, which are widely distributed in higher plants.[54] Presence of ubiquitous phytosterol such as b-sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, ursolic acid, and their derivatives have been reported in plants of genus Leucas.[62-66] A novel steroid “leucisterol” was reported from the methanol extract of whole plant of Leucas urticifolia,[54] which is similar to stigmasterol, the difference lying in the side chain that is presence of a hydroxyl group at C-20 atom, a double bond at C-22 atom, and S configuration at C-24 atom. Terpenes Terpenes constitute one of the largest and structurally diverse class of plant secondary metabolites responsible for flavor, fragrance, and bioactivity of the plants.[67] Plants of genus Leucas are found to be rich in terpenes. Chemical structures of some of these terpenes are presented,Vagionas et al. reported the presence of monoterpenes in the essential oil obtained from Leucas glabrata by GCMS analysis. It revealed the presence of menthone, pulegone, piperitone, piperitenone, a-thujene, myrcene, a-phellandral, g-terpinene, terpinen-4-ol, nerolidol, carvone, carvacrol, caryophyllene, cumin alcohol, a-farnesene, menthol, and E-nerolidol in the oil.[68] However, the essential oil fraction from the leaves and flowers of Leucas aspera were found to contain high amount of afarnesene, a-thujene, and menthol;[69,70] whereas, high content of b- cubebene, a-pinene, trans-caryophyllene, limonene, and a-terpineolene were reported in the essential oil from Leucas milanjiana.[71] The essential oil fraction of Leucas deflexa leaf was reported to have a high amount of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, namely, germacrene-D, b- caryophyllene, and a-humulene.[72] A new type of diterpenes, leucasperones A and B; leucasperols A and B, have been reported from Leucas aspera.[66] Miyaichi et al. reported new diterpenes Leucasdins A, B, and C, two protostane-type triterpenes named Leucastrins A and B, and oleanolic acid from the methanol extract of whole plant of Leucas cephalotes Spreng.[60] 102 Glycoside Two new flavonoidal glucosides leufolin A and B were reported from the ethyl acetate fraction of methanolic extract of whole plant Leucas urticifolia.[73] A novel phenylethanoid glycoside, 3-O-methyl poliumoside and angoroside C, 2-(3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl)- ethyl-O-a-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1®3)O-a-L-rhamnorhamnopyranosyl-(1®6)-4-O-E-ferul-oyl-bDglucopyranoside, incanoside D, martynoside, and acteoside were reported in the methanolic extract of the whole plant of Leucas i ndica.[74] A flavonoidal glycoside, baicalin, reported from the fresh flower of Leucas aspera.[58] Further, the isopimarane-type diterpenoidal glycosides ‘leucasperosides A, B, C’ and linifolioside reported in Leucas aspera and Leucas linifolia.[75,66] Flavonoidal glycoside apigenin 7-O-(6¢¢-O-(p- coumaroyl) - b-Dglucoside) has been isolated from the Leucas aspera,[36] while cosmosin, anisofolin A, and luteolin 4¢-O-b-D-glucuronopyranoside were reported from Leucas cephaloate.[60] Chandrasekhar et al. reported the isolation of chrysoeriol-6¢¢-(O¢Ac)-4¢-b-glucoside from ethanolic extract of the aerial parts of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees.[76] Fatty acids Leucas cephalotes and Leucas uriicaefolia seeds were found to have a high content (28% w/w) of laballanic acid.[77,78] Varying concentrations of oleic acid (87) and linoleic acid (88) were found in Leucas aspera, which was contingent upon crop variation.[79,75] Miscellaneous Leucas aspera is widely used in countryside as foods and also for nutritional requirement. It is reported to have high content (21.3%) of protein.[79,80] Structures of some glycosides isolated from Leucas species. Significant amounts of total carotenoid and b-carotene.[81] Asperphenamate and alkaloid nicotine have also been reported in Leucas aspera.[70] Long-chain compounds nonatriacontane,[55] 1-dotriacontanol, 1- hydroxytetratriacontan-4-one, 32-methyltetratriacontane were reported in Leucas aspera. [82] Aliphatic ketols, namely, 28-hydroxypentatriacontan- 7-one, 7-hydroxy- dotriacontan-2one, 5-acetoxy-triacontane were isolated from the shoots of Leucas aspera.[83] n- Hentriacontane, l-dotriacontanol, phytol, and a new diterpene fatty acid ester known as trans-phytyl palmitate were reported from Leucas nutans.[84] Amyl propionate and isoamylpropionate were present in high concentration in the essential oil fraction of the leaf and flower parts of Leucas aspera.[85] Accumulation of heavy metals reported in plants adversely affect the quality, safety, and their medicinal value. Higher concentration of zinc (201 μg/g), iron (809 μg/g), and strontium (133 μg/g), have been reported from Leucas linifolia grown in the North Eastern region of India.[86,87] PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY Anti-inflammatory activity The whole plant extract of Leucas aspera was reported to have anti-inflammatory activity and caused degranulation of mast cells.[88] Significant anti-inflammatory activity of the yellowPharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas colored chromatographic fraction of Leucas aspera extract was observed in the chronic and acute models of inflammation. It was observed that the activity was due to the inhibition of histamine and serotonin.[89] Srinivas et al. showed that a dose of 50 mg/kg of Leucas aspera dried leaf powder in 2% gum acacia showed significant anti-inflammatory activity, which was found to be better than acetylsalicylic acid in the carrageenin-induced paw edema model and less active than phenylbutazone, when tested in cotton pellet-induced granuloma in rat model.[90] Goudgaon et al. reported that the anti-inflammatory activity of Leucas aspera is mainly due to its alkaloidal component, and the tannins present have no role.[91] Sadhu et al. reported that methanol extract of the whole plant at 3 ´ 10-5 g/mL concentration possesses inhibitory activity against both PGE1- and PGE2-induced contractions in guinea pig ileum, and the isolated compound (3-O-b-Dglucosyl (1®2)-b-D-glucoside) was found to be mainly responsible for this activity.[36,66] Manivannana and Sukumar reported that the bioactive constituents (baicalein and baicalin) of Leucas aspera flowers exhibited significant RBC membrane stabilizing activity. [92] The acetone extract of the roots of this plant was found to possess anti-inflammatory activity in the preliminary studies.[62] Extract of Leucas mollissima Wall also exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity, which was mainly due to its bioactive constituent, apigenin-7-O-b-D- (6¢¢-p-coumaroyl) glucoside.[59] ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY Menthone, pulegone, and piperitone-rich essential oil of Leucas glabrata possessed significant antimicrobial activity against selected gram positive and negative bacteria and fungi strains at a concentration of 0.45 to 1.14 mg/mL (MIC).[68] Significant antimicrobial activity was reported for the alkaloidal fraction and the total methanol extracts the Leucas aspera flowers.[95] The methanol extract of Leucas zeylanica and 80% ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera leaves were found to exhibit potent inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.[96,39] Interestingly, the volatile oil obtained from the leaves of this plant exhibited high sensitivity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Haemophilus influenza, S. aureus, and Candida albicans but practically no sensitivity against Bacillus subtilis, Proteus. vulgaris, Neisseria gonorrhea, Tricoderma vibriae, and A. niger.[69] ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY Methanol extract of the whole plant of Leucas mollissima showed insignificant free radical and superoxide anion scavenging activity.[97] However, significant activity was found in the ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root (IC50 = 7.5 μg/ml).[40] CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY HEPATO-PROTECTIVE ACTIVITY Methanol and acetone extracts of Leucas inflata possess dosedependent antinociceptive activity, which may be mediated by their central and peripheral actions.[48] In a similar study, ethanolic extract of Leucas aspera root showed significant peripheral antinociceptive activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg.[40] Mukherjee et al. reported a yellow-colored fraction from the methanol extract of Leucas lavandulaefolia, which exhibited dose-related effects on general and exploratory behavior and muscle relaxant activity in rats and mice.[50] The chloroform extract of Leucas lavandulaefolia whole plant, obtained after defatting with petroleum ether, was found to have hepato-protective activity in D (+) galactosamine-intoxicated rat mode.[98] The cold methanolic extract of the whole plant of Leucas aspera was found to exhibit significant hepato-protection in CCl4 induced liver damage.[99] COUGH, COLD, AND ANTI-DIARRHEAL ACTIVITIES Saha et al. reported that the semisolid mass from the yellowcolored band obtained from methanol extract of Leucas lavandulaefolia showed significant dose-dependant anti-tussive activity. This effect was comparable to codeine phosphate and suggested that this activity was mediated by the CNS.[93] Mukherjee et al. reported that the ethanol extract of aerial part of Leucas lavandulaefolia significantly reduced the incidence and severity of diarrhea in the castor oil-induced diarrhea in rats.[51] ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY The methanol extracts of whole plant of Leucas lavandulaefolia possess a dose-related strong hypoglycemic activity and have similar potency to that of glibenclamide at an oral dose of 400 mg/kg.[94] Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 CYTOTOXICITY Various studies using Brine shrimp lethality assay model showed that the hydroalcoholic extract of Leucas aspera whole plant exhibited cytotoxicity (LC50 = 1900 μg/mL)[100] and this activity was more in the root extract (LC50 = 52.8 μg/mL).[40] INSECTICIDAL AND REPELLANT ACTIVITY Leucas aspera leaves are used as mosquito repellant and as insecticide.[101] These claims were vindicated by extensive studies, which indicated that Leucas aspera leaf extract exhibited significant larvicidal activity against first, second, third, and fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatu.[102] Leucas aspera leaf extract (4% solution) showed 90% death of the fourth instar larvae[103] and 100% death after 24 h were recorded for the third instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi.[104] The petroleum ether extract of the leaves of Leucas aspera exhibited LC50 between 100 to 200 ppm against the fourth instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus, A. stephensi, and Aedes aefypti.[105] A. stephensi larval treatment with Leucas aspera 103 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas leaf extract resulted in significant fall of its carbohydrate and DNA profile.[104] Further, the highest mortality was seen during the moulting, melanization, and tanning processes, which are controlled by hormones.[106] Hence, the above findings suggest that the larvicidal activity of the plant may be due to disturbance in hormonal and metabolic process of larvae. The seed oil obtained from Leucas cepbalotes and Leucas urticifolia failed to show repellent/anti-feedant activity against adult Tribolium castaneum Herbst insect.[107] 4. Mukerjee SK. A Revision of the Labiatae of the Indian Empire. Recds of Botanical Survey of India, Manager of Publications, 1940; 14(1):205. 5. Bentham G. The genera and species of the plants of the order Labiatae with their general history, characters, affinities and geographical distribution. Piccadilly, London: James Ridgway and Sons; 1835. p. 602. 6. Reddy MK, Viswanathan S, Thirugnanasambantham P, Kamesawaran T. Analgesic activity of Leucas aspera. Fitoterapia 1993;64:151-4. 7. Pushpangadan P, Atal CK. Ethno-medico-botanical investigations in Kerala I. Some primitive tribals of western ghats and their herbal medicine. J Ethnopharmacol 1984;11:59-77. 8. Girach RD, Aminuddin, Siddioui PA, Khan SA. Traditional plant remedies among the Kondh of district dhenkanal (Orissa). Int J Pharm 1994;32:274-83. 9. Bhandary MJ, Chandrasekhar KR, Kaveriappa KM. Medical ethno botany of the siddis of Uttara Kannada district, Karnataka, India. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;47:149-58. MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITY Mukherjee et al. reported that yellow-colored chromatographic fraction of the methanol extract of Leucas lavandulaefolia showed effects on general behavior pattern of experimental mice and also exhibited tranquilizing effect.[50] Saha et al. reported wound healing activity of methanol extract of Leucas lavandulaefolia in the excision and the incision wound models in rats.[24] They also observed significant contracting ability, wound closure time, tensile strength, and regeneration of tissues at the wound sites.[24] In another study, the protective role of Leucas aspera against the snake (cobra) venom poisoning was studied in mice. This study revealed that Leucas aspera alcoholic extract treatment significantly improved the survival time, which may be due to the stabilization of mast cells and inhibition of the secretion of platelet activating factor and histamine.[38] CONCLUSION The following manifestations can be made on the basis of this comprehensive perusal of literature of the plants belonging to genus Leucas being used traditionally due to their immense therapeutic potential to treat/cure various diseases. Phenolics and triterpenes are present in plants and exhibit significant biological activity. Many studies demonstrated significant anti-inflammatory activity of the extracts and some isolated constituents obtained from the plants of this genus. This vindicated the use of certain species in the chronic and acute inflammatory diseases including psoriasis, dermatitis, and other skin disorders. A variety of phytoconstituents have been isolated from the different species of the genus Leucas. However, only a few species have been explored exhaustively for their chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Thus, there remains a tremendous scope for further scientific exploration of this genus to establish their therapeutic efficacy and commercial exploitation. REFERENCES 10. Selvanayahgam ZE, Gnanevendhan SG, Balakrishna K, Rao RB. Antisnake venom botanicals from ethno medicine. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 1994;2:45-100. 11. Khaleque A, Huq ME, Huq MS, Mansoor MH. Chemical investigations on leucas aspera. I. Isolation of compound a, beta-sitosterol and alpha-sitosterol from the aerial parts. Sci Res (DACCA, PAK) 1970;7:125-7. 12. Kapur SK, Sarin YK. Medico-botanic survey of medicinal and aromatic plants of katra valley (J. & K.STATE) India. Indian Drugs 1984;22:4-10. 13. John D. One hundred useful raw drugs of the kani tribes of Trivandrum Forest Division, Kerala, India. Int J Crude Drug Res 1984;22:17-39. 14. Johns T, Faubert GM, Kokwaro JO, Mahunnah RL, Kimanani EK. Anti-giardial activity of gastrointestinal remedies of the luo of east Africa. J Ethnopharmacol 1995;46:17-23. 15. Johns T, Kokwaro JO, Kimanani EK. Herbal remedies of the luo of siaya district, Kenya: Establishing quantitative criteria for consensus. Econ Bot 1990;44:369-81. 16. Saha JC, Savini EC, Kasinathan S. Ecbolic properties of Indian medicinal plants. Part 1. Indian J Med Res 1961;49:130-51. 17. Bhattarai NK. Traditional herbal medicines used to treat wounds and injuries in Nepal. Trop Doct 1997;27 (S-1):43-7. 18. Sahu TR. Less known uses of weeds as medicinal plants. Anc Sci Life 1984;3:245-9. 19. Whistler WA. Traditional and herbal medicine in the Cook Islands. J Ethnopharmacol 1985;13:239-80. 20. Holdsworth DK. Traditional medicinal plants of Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Part II. Int J Pharmacog 1991;29:71-9. 21. Reddy MB, Reddy KR, Reddy MN. A survey of plant crude drugs of anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. Int J Crude Drug Res 1989;27:145-55. 22. Samuelsson G, Farah MH, Claeson P, Hagos M, Thulin M, Hedberg O. Inventory of plants used in traditional medicine in Somalia. II. Plants of the families’ combretaceae to labiatae. J Ethnopharmacol 1992;37:47-70. 1. Balunas MJ, Kinghorn AD. Drug discovery from medicinal plants. Life Sci 2005;78:431-41. 23. Tiwari KC, Majumder R, Bhattacharjee S. Folklore medicines from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh (District Tirap). Int J Crude Drug Res 1979;17:61-7. 2. Hedge IC. Labiatae. In: Ali SI, Nasir YJ, editors. Flora of Pakistan. Karachi: University of Karachi, Department of Botany; 1990. p. 192. 24. Saha K, Mukherjee PK, Das J, Pal M, Saha BP. Wound healing activity of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;56:139-44. 3. Ryding O. Phylogeny of the Leucas Group (Lamiaceae). Syst Bot 1998;23:235-47. 25. Ramachandran VS. Further notes on the ethno botany of Cannanore district, Kerala. J Econ Tax Bot 1987;11:47-50. 104 Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas 26. Maikere-Faniyo R, Van Puyvelde L, Mutwewingabo A, Habiyaremye FX. Study of Rwandese medicinal plants used in the treatment of diarrhoea I. J Ethnopharmacol 1989;26:101-9. 27. Chagnon M. General pharmacologic inventory of medicinal plants of Rwanda. J Ethnopharmacol 1984;12:239-51. 28. Lin CC. Crude drugs used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in Taiwan. Am J Chin Med 1992;20:269-79. 29. Lin CC, Kan WS. Medicinal plants used for the treatment of hepatitis in Taiwan. Am J Chin Med 1990;18:35-43. 30. Yanfg LL, Yen KY, Kiso Y, Kikino H. Antihepatotoxic actions of formosan plant drugs. J Ethnopharmacol 1987;19:103-10. Antiinflammatory activity of some medicinal plants of the united Arab emirates. Int J Pharmacog 1995;33:124-8. 48. Al Yousuf MH, Ali BH, Bashir AK, Tanira MO, Blunden G. Central nervous system activity of leucas inflata benth. in mice. Phytomedicine 2002;9:501-7. 49. Mukherjee K, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK. Evaluation of antipyretic potential of leucas lavandulaefolia (labiatae) aerial part extract. Phytother Res 2002;16:686-8. 50. Mukherjee K, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK. Psychopharmacological profiles of leucas lavandulaefolia. Phytother Res 2002;16:696-9. 31. Abraham Z, Bhakuni SD, Garg HS, Goel AK, Mehrotra BN, Patnaik GK. Screening of Indian plants for biological activity. Part XII. Indian J Exp Biol 1986;24:48-68. 51. Mukherjee PK, Saha K, Murugesan T, Mandal SC, Pal M, Saha BP. Screening of anti-diarrhoeal profile of some plant extracts of a specific region of west Bengal, India. J Ethnopharmacol 1998;60:85-9. 32. Burkill IH. Dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula. Volume II. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Ministry of agriculture and cooperatives; 1966. p. 1. 52. Bhakuni OS, Dhar ML, Dhar MM, Dhawan BN, Mehrotra BN. Screening of Indian plants for biological activity. Part II. Indian J Exp Biol 1969;7:250-62. 33. Duke JA, Ayensu ES. Medicinal plants of China. Vol 2. Algonac, Michigan: Reference Publications, Inc.; 1985. p. 363-705. 53. Harborne JB, Baxter H, Moss GP. Phytochemical dictionary: A handbook of bioactive compounds from plants. London: Tylor & Francis Ltd.; 1999. p. 773. 34. Ilham M, Yaday M, Norhanom AW. Tumour promoting activity of plants used in Malaysian traditional medicine. Nat Prod Sci 1995;1:31-42. 35. Kholkute SD, Mudgal V, Deshpande PJ. Screening of indigenous medicinal plants for antifertility potentiality. Planta Med 1976;29:151-5. 36. Sadhu SK, Okuyama E, Fujimoto H, Ishibashi M. Separation of Leucas aspera, a medicinal plant of Bangladesh, guided by prostaglandin inhibitory and antioxidant activities. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2003;51:595-8. 37. Tripathi RK, Tripathi RN. Reduction in bean common mosaic virus infectivity vis-a-vis crude leaf extract of some higher plants. Experientia 1982;38:349. 38. Reddy MK, Viswanathan S, Thirugnanasambantham P, Kameswaran L. Effect of leucas aspera on snake venom poisoning in mice and its possible mechanism of action. Fitoterapia 1993;64:442-6. 39. Valsaraj R, Pushpangadan P, Smitt UW, Adsersen A, Nyman U. Antimicrobial screening of selected medicinal plants from India. J Ethnopharmacol 1997;58:75-83. 40. Rahman MS, Sadhu SK, Hasan CM. Preliminary antinociceptive, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of leucas aspera root. Fitoterapia 2007;78:552-5. 41. Basnet P, Kadota S, Pandey RR, Takahashi T, Kojima Y, Shimizu M, et al. Screening of traditional medicines for their hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin (stz)-induced diabetic rats and a detailed study on psidium guajava. J Trad Med 1995;12:109-17. 42. Singh N, Nath R, Singh DR, Gupta ML, Kohli RP. An experimental evaluation of protective effects of some indigenous drugs on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and rats. Q J Crude Drug Res 1978;16:8-16. 43. Sharma RN, Gupta AS, Patwardhan SA, Hebbalkar DS, Tare V, Bhonde SB. Bioactivity of lamiaceae plants against insects. Indian J Exp Biol 1992;30:244-6. 44. Qamaruddin, Parveen N, Khan NU, Singhal KC. In vitro antifilarial potential of the flower and stem extracts of leucas cephalotes on cattle filarial parasite setariacervi. J Natural Remedies 2002;2:155-63. 45. Nene YL, Thapliyal PN, Kumar K. Screening of some plant extracts for antifungal properties. J Sci Tech B 1968;6:226-8. 46. Dhar ML, Dhar MM, Dhawan BN, Mehrotra BN, Ray C. Screening of Indian plants for biological activity: Part I. Indian J Exp Biol 1968;6:232-47. 47. Wasfi IA, Bashir AK, Abdalla AA, Banna NR, Tanira MO. Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12 54. Fatima I, Ahmad I, Anis I, Malik A, Afza N, Iqbal L. New butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory steroid and peroxy acid from Leucas urticifolia. Arch Pharm Res 2008;31:999-1003. 55. Mishra TN, Singh RS, Pandey HS, Singh S. A novel phenolic compound from Leucas aspera. Indian J Chem 1995;34:1108- 10. 56. Harborne JB, Mabry TJ, Mabry H. The Flavonoids. New York: Academic Press; 1975. p. 1-40. 57. McClure JW. Physiology of flavonoids in plants. In: Cody V, Middleton E, Harborne JB, editors. Plant flavonoids in biology and medicine: Biochemical, pharmacological, and structureactivity relationships. New York: Alan R. Liss, Inc.; 1986. p. 77- 85. 58. Manivannana R, Sukumar D. The RBC membrane stabilization in an in vitro method by the drug isolated from Leucas aspera. Int J Appl Sci Eng 2007;5:133-8. 59. Ku CT, Chen SC, Wang JP, Wu JB, Kuo SC. Studies on antiinflammatory constituents of Leucas Mollissima WALL. var. Chinensis Benth. Chinese Pharm J 2000;52:261-73. 60. Miyaichi Y, Segawa A, Tomimori T. Studies on Nepalese crude drugs. XXIX. Chemical constituents of dronapuspi, the whole herb of Leucas cephalotes SPRENG. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2006;54:1370-9. 61. Kennedy RO, Thornes RD. Coumarins: Biology, applications, and mode of Action. Willy publication;1997, p. 1. 62. Al Yousuf MH, Bashir AK, Blunden G, Yang M-H, Patel AV. Coumarleucasin and leucasone from Leucas inflata roots. Phytochemistry 1999;51:95-8. 63. Bahadur KD, Sen AB. Chemical Examination of Leucas cephalotes. Pharm Biol 1969;9:1453-4. 64. Chaudhury AN, Ghosh D. Insecticidal plants: Chemical examination of Leucas aspera. J Indian Chem Soc 1969;46:95. 65. Pradhan BP, Chakraborty DK, Subba GC. A triterpenoid lactone from Leucas aspera. Phytochemistry 1990;29:1693-5. 66. Sadhu SK, Okuyama E, Fujimoto H, Ishibashi M. Diterpenes from Leucas aspera inhibiting prostaglandin-induced contractions. J Nat Prod 2006;69:988-94. 67. Humphrey AJ, Beale MH. Terpenes. In: Crozier A, Clifford MN, Ashihara H, editors. Plant secondary metabolites: Occurrence, structure and role in the human diet. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing Company; 2006. p. 47. 68. Vagionas K, Ngassapa O, Runyoro D, Graikou K, Gortzi O, Chinou I. Chemical analysis of edible aromatic plants growing in Tanzania. Food Chem 2007;105:1711-7. 105 Das, et al.: Ethno medical and bioactive constituents of genus Leucas 69. Gerige SJ, Yadav MK, Rao DM, Ramanjeneyulu R. GC-MS analysis and inhibitory efficacy of Leucas aspera L. Leaf volatile oil against selected microbes. Niger J Nat Prod Med 2007;11:803. 90. Srinivas K, Rao ME, Rao SS. Anti-inflammatory activity of Heliotropiu indicum Linn. and Leucas aspera Spreng. in albino rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2000;32:37-8. 70. Mangathayaru K, Thirumurugan D, Patel PS, Pratap DV, David DJ, Karthikeyan J. Isolation and identification of nicotine from Leucas aspera (willd) link. Indian J Pharm Sci 2006;68:88-90. 91. Goudgaon NM, Basavaraj NR, Vijayalaxmi A. Antiinflammatory activity of different fractions of Leucas aspera SPRENG. Indian J Pharmacol 2003;35:397-8. 71. Moody JO, Gundidza M, Wyllie G. Essential oil composition of Leucas milanjiana Guerke. Flavour Fragr J 2006;21:872-4. 92. Manivannana R, Sukumar D. The RBC membrane stabilization in an in vitro method by the drug isolated from Leucas aspera. Int.J.Appl.Sci.Eng,2007;5(2):133-8. 72. Mve-Mba CE, Menut C, Lamaty G, Zollo PH, Thoumbougnang F, Bessiere J. Aromatic plants of tropical central Africa. XIX: Volatile components from leaves of two Lamiaceae from Cameroon: Leucas deflexa hook and Solenostemon monostachyus (P. Beauv.) Briq. Flavour Fragr J 2006;9:315-7. 73. Noor AT, Fatima I, Ahmad I, Malik A, Afza N, Iqbal L, et al. Leufolins A and B, potent butyrylcholinesterase-inhibiting flavonoid glucosides from Leucas urticifolia. Molecules 2007;12:1447-54. 74. Mostafa M, Nahar N, Mosihuzzaman M, Makhmoor T, Choudhary MI, Rahman A-U. Free radical scavenging phenylethanoid glycosides from Leucas indica Linn. Nat Prod Res 2007;21:354- 61. 75. Mahato SB, Pal BC. Structure of linifolioside, an isopimarane rhamnoglucoside from Leucas linifolia. Phytochem 1986;25:909- 12. 76. Chandrasekhar KS, Arun BJ, Satyanarayana D. Flavonoid glycoside from Leucas lavandulaefolia aerial parts. Asian J Chem 2005;17:2853-4. 77. Aitzetmuller K, Tsevegsuren N, Vosmann K. A new allenic fatty acid in Phlomis (Lamiaceae) seed oil. Fet/Lipid 2006;99:74-8. 78. Sinha S, Ansai AA, Osman SM. Leucas cephalotes a new seedoil rich in laballenic acid. Chem Ind 1978;1:67. 79. Chen SC, Elofson RM, MacTaggart JM. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance studies of lipids and starch digestion in intact seeds. J Agric Food Chem 1979;27:435-8. 80. Prakash D, Jain RK, Misra PS. Amino acid profiles of some under-utilised seeds. Plant Foods Hum Nut 1988;38:235-41. 81. Rajyalakshmi P, Venkatalaxmi K, Venkatalakshmamma K, Jyothsna Y, Devi KB, Suneetha V. Total carotenoid and betacarotene contents of forest green leafy vegetables consumed by tribals of South India. Plant Foods Hum Nut 2001;56:225-38. 82. Mishra TN, Singh RS, Pandey HS, Singh S. Longchain compounds from Leucas aspera. Phytochemistry 1992;31:1809- 10. 83. Mishra TN, Singh RS, Prasad C, Singh S. Two aliphatic ketols from Leucas aspera. Phytochemistry 1993;32:199-201. 84. Hasan M, Burdi DK, Ahmad VU. Diterpene fatty acid ester from Leucas nutans. J Nat Prod 1991;54:1444-6. 85. Mangathayaru K, Amitabha G, Rajeev R, Kaushik VV. Volatile constituents of Leucas aspera (Willd.) Link. J Ess Oil Res 2006;18:104-5. 86. Mohanta B, Chakraborty A, Sudarshan M, Dutta RK, Baruah M. Elemental profile in some common medicinal plants of India. Its correlation with traditional therapeutic usage. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 2003;258:175-9. 87. Rai V, Kakkar P, Khatoon S, Rawat AK, Mehrotra S. Heavy metal accumulation in some herbal drugs. Pharm Biol 2001;39:384-7. 88. Reddy MK, Viswanathan S, Sambantham PT, Ramachandran S, Kameswaran L. Effects of Leucas aspera on experimental inflammation and mast cell degranulation. An Sci Life 1986;5:168-71. 89. Saha K, Mukherjee PK, Mandal SC, Saha BP, Pal M. Antiinflammatory evaluation of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees. 106 Extract Nat Prod Sci 1997;2:119-22. 93. Verma S, Chauhan NS. Indigenous medicinal plants knowledge of Kunihar forest dicvivision, district Solan. Indian J Tradit Know 2007;6:494-7. 94. Saha K, Mukherjee PK, Das J, Mandal SC, Pal M, Saha BP. Hypoglycemic activity of Leucas lavandulaefolia Rees. In streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Phytother Res 1998;11:463-6. 95. Mangathayaru K, Lakshmikant J, Sundar NS, Swapna R, Grace XF, Vasantha J. Antimicrobial activity of Leucas aspera flowers. Fitoterapia 2005;76:752-4. 96. Rajakaruna N, Harris CS, Towers GHN. Antimicrobial activity of plants collected from serpentine outcrops in Sri Lanka. Pharm Biol 2002;40:235-44. 97. Shyur LF, Tsung JH, Chen JH, Chiu CY, Lo CP. Antioxidant Properties of Extracts from Medicinal Plants Popularly Used in Taiwan. Int J Appl Sci Eng 2005;3:195-202. 98. Chandrasekhar KS, Prasanna KS, Joshi AB. Hepatoprotective activity of the Leucas lavandulaefolia on d (+) galactosamineinduced hepatic injury in rats. Fitoterapia 2007;78:440-2. 99. Mangathayaru K, Grace FX, Bhavani M, Meignanam E, Karna RS, Kumar PD. Effect of Leucas aspera on hepatotoxicity in rats. Indian J Pharmacol 2005;37:329-30. 100. Krishnaraju AV, Rao TV, Sundararaju D, Vanisree M, Tsay HS, Subbaraju GV.. Assessment of bioactivity of Indian medicinal plants using brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality assay. Int J Appl Sci Eng 2005;3:125-34. 101. Kirtikar KR, Basu BD. Indian medicinal plants. Bidtter E, Caius JF, Mhaskar KS, editors. Periodical Experts Book Company.,1990;p. 2019. 102. Muthukrishnan J, Puphlantha H, Kasthuribhai K. Biological effects of four plants extracts on Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Larval stages. Insect Sci Appl 1997;17:389-94. 103. Murugan K, Jayabalan D. Effect of certain plant extract on the mosquito Anopheles stephensi Listton. Curr Sci 1999;76:35-8. 104. Vinayagam A, Senthilkumar N, Umamaheswari A. Larvicidal activity of some medicinal plant extracts against malaria vector Anopheles stephensi. Res J Parasitol 2008;3:50-8. 105. Sakthivadivel M, Daniel T. Evaluation of certain insecticidal plants for the control of vector mosquitoes viz. Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti. Appl Entomol Zool 2008;43:57-63. 106. Mawangi RW, Rembold H. Growth-inhibiting and larvicidal effects of Melia volkensii extract on Aedes aegypti larvae. Entomol Exp Appl 1988;46:103-8. 107. Khan MW, Ahmad F, Ahmad I, Osman SM. Nonedible seed oils as insect repellant. J Am Oil Chem Soc 1983;60:949-50. How to cite this Article: Das SN, Patro VJ, Dinda SC. Ethnobotanical survey of genus Leucas. Phcog Rev 2012;6:100- 6. Source of Support: Nil, Conflict of Interest: None declared Pharmacognosy Reviews | July-December 2012 | Vol 6 | Issue 12