Medicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ammodaucus leucotrichus

This review summarizes selected scientific evidence on phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Ammodaucus leucotrichus. Information was gathered via the Internet (using Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, Elsevier, Springer, Science Direct, Researchgate and Web of Science) as well as from libraries and local books. Ammodaucus leucotrichus (A. leucotrichus), belongs to the family Apiaceae, has been reported to possess a wide range of traditional medicinal uses including in diarrhea, cough, pulmonary diseases, anorexia, allergy, tachycardia, helminthiasis, stomach pain, gastralgias, otitis, indigestion, cold, fever, anorexia and cardiac diseases. Phytochemical investigations revealed that this plant possesses many bioactive chemical constituents including monoterpenes and their derivatives, sesquiterpenes and their derivatives, tannins, anthracenes compounds, sterols, triterpenes, reducing compounds, alkaloids, phenol acids, saponins, flavonoids and coumarins. The most important pharmacological activities are antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anticholinesterase and cytotoxicity activities. Ammodaucus leucotrichus has potential for the treatment of a wide range of diseases and has been well studied for its phytochemical properties. However, further scientific studies are needed to explore mechanisms of actions, adverse effects of the extracts, toxicity and the therapeutic effect of major secondary metabolites.