Combretum Indicum: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities – A Review

The Rangoon Creeper, or Combretum indicum, is a member of the Combretaceae family, which has 20 genera and more than 600 species. This vining plant is common in the Philippines and south-east Asia and can be found in both tropical and subtropical regions. It is well known for its several therapeutic uses in both conventional and complementary medicine, in addition to its aesthetic qualities. Many of the plant's phytochemicals, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, and phenolic compounds, influence its pharmacological properties. Fever, rheumatism, nephritis, skin conditions, migraines, dysuria, and many other conditions have been treated using some of its leaves, flowers, fruits, and roots. The presence of bioactive chemicals discovered in the plant by phytochemical screening, including quercetin, rutin, quisqualis acid, and numerous amino acids, has encouraged the possible use of this plant as a therapeutic tool. The plant has a variety of bioactivities, including immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic, analgesic, anti-dyslipidemia, and anti-asthmatic properties, according to several pharmacological research. The plant C. indicum is readily available and grows quickly because of its many medicinal qualities. This makes the plant highly promising for more pharmacological research and medication development. The present review summarizes the ethnomedicinal importance, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, antidiabetic potential, and therapeutic significance of Combretum indicum.