Doi: 10.4103/0973-7847.120520

Disha Arora, Anita Rani,¹ and Anupam Sharma

Pharmacogn Rev. 2013 Jul-Dec

Abstract

This review includes 84 references on the genus Calendula (Asteraceae) and comprises ethnopharmacology, morphology and microscopy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies and toxicology of the prominent species of Calendula. Triterpene alcohols, triterpene saponins, flavonoids, carotenoids and polysaccharides constitute major classes of phytoconstituents of the genus. A few species of this genus have medicinal value, among these Calendula officinalis Linn., has been traditionally used in the treatment of various skin tumors, dermatological lesions, ulcers, swellings and nervous disorders as well as almost 200 cosmetic formulations, i.e., creams, lotions, shampoos. Despite a long tradition of use of some species, the genus has not been explored properly. In the concluding part, the future scope of Calendula species has been emphasized with a view to establish their multifarious biological activities and mode of action.

Keywords: Calendula, carotenoids, flavonoids, triterpene alcohols

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INTRODUCTION

This review emphasizes the traditional uses and clinical potential of Calendula species. The review is intended to attract the attention of natural product researchers throughout the world to focus on the unexplored potential of the Calendula species. This genus needs to be investigated systematically so that potential species can be exploited as therapeutic agents.

The review has been compiled using references from major databases such as Chemical Abstracts, Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Abstracts, PubMed, King’s American Dispensatory, Henriette’s Herbal Homepage, Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotany. The available information on Calendula has been divided into six sections, i.e., ethnopharmacology, morphology and microscopy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological reports, clinical studies and toxicology.

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3841996/