In Vitro Anticancer, Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Screening Of Compounds from Ricinus Communis Linn: A Review

Constantine Kameti, Dr. Henry Mwangi, Dr. Margaret Ng'ang'a

anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, Ricinus communis L.

Medicinal plants have been in use since ancient times in the treatment of diseases such as stomach ache, diarrhoea, sexually transmitted diseases, tumours and wounds among others. The family Euphorbiaceae contains approximately 350 genera and over 7,500 species that are flowering plants. Amongst the plants is the Ricinus communis Linn. or castor plant which has high traditional and medicinal values leading to a healthy free disease community. In Kenya, about 25 million people are known to rely on herbal medicine. Moreover, herbal drugs are known to be more accessible and preferred due to their natural source and presumed comparative lesser side effect. Numerous studies on phytochemical composition of R. communis and pharmacological have been conducted. In the recent past, scientists and researchers around the globe have elaborately studied the phytochemical composition of R. communis L. whole plant as well as their biological pharmacological activities. These studies have established the therapeutic potential of R. communis L. in modern medicine and about it as a possible candidate for drug discovery. The present review gives an overview of R communis chemical  composition and various pharmacological and biologicals activities.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.11.5.6