Main Article Content
Abstract
Medicinal plants have played a vital role in the development of traditional healing practices, particularly within Ayurvedic and ethnobotanical systems. Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik., a lesser-known member of the Malvaceae family, has been traditionally used for managing inflammation, metabolic disorders, and various other ailments. However, scientific evaluation of this species remains limited compared to its widely studied relatives such as Abutilon indicum. This review consolidates and critically analyzes the existing literature on the ethnomedicinal relevance, phytochemistry, and pharmacological potential of Abutilon crispum. Phytochemical investigations reveal that Abutilon crispum contains diverse bioactive constituents, including flavonoids (tiliroside, lespedin), sterol glycosides, fatty acids, and unique cyclopropene derivatives, many of which have demonstrated biological relevance in preliminary studies. Experimental evidence highlights the plant’s antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antitumor, and gastroprotective properties. In vivo studies report significant pharmacological benefits of Abutilon crispum extracts, particularly in models of oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, with minimal observed toxicity. This review provides an updated scientific perspective on Abutilon crispum, advocating for expanded research to validate its traditional claims, explore its pharmacological mechanisms, and assess its potential as a natural source for drug discovery.
Keywords
Abutilon crispum
Phytochemistry
Traditional medicine
Biological activity
Antioxidant
Anti-inflammatory
Article Details
How to Cite
Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik: An Overlooked Medicinal Plant with Multifaceted Pharmacological Applications – A Review. (2025). International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 14(3), 368-375. https://ijrpp.com/ijrpp/article/view/707
How to Cite
Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik: An Overlooked Medicinal Plant with Multifaceted Pharmacological Applications – A Review. (2025). International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 14(3), 368-375. https://ijrpp.com/ijrpp/article/view/707
References
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1. Semwal DK, Chauhan A, Kumar A, Aswal S, Semwal RB, Kumar A. Status of Indian medicinal plants in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the future of Ayurvedic drugs: Shouldn’t think about Ayurvedic fundamentals?. Journal of integrative medicine. 2019 Jul 1;17(4):238-43.
2. Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E. From traditional ethnopharmacology to modern natural drug discovery: A methodology discussion and specific examples. Molecules. 2022 Jun 24;27(13):4060.
3. Vasisht K, Sharma N, Karan M. Current perspective in the international trade of medicinal plants material: an update. Current pharmaceutical design. 2016 Aug 1;22(27):4288-336.
4. Abat JK, Kumar S, Mohanty A. Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and ethnopharmacological aspects of four medicinal plants of Malvaceae used in Indian traditional medicines: A review. Medicines. 2017 Oct 18;4(4):75.
5. Khadabadi SS, Bhajipale NS. A review on some important medicinal plants of Abutilon spp.
6. Sekhar PC, Kumar YV, Grace JR, Kumar OA, Murty PP. Some ethno medicinal plants used for the treatment of piles by the kondadora tribe of Northern Andhra Pradesh, AP, India 803-809.
7. Thiruvenkatasubramaniam R, Sangameswaran B, Visan M, Vinothkumar S, Yogesh M. A Review on Pharmacological Activities of Abutilon crispum (Linn). International Journal of Scientific Research and Technology. 2025 Mar 3.
8. WFO (2025): Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000511832. Accessed on: 26 Mar 2025
9. Sankara Rao, K., Raja K Swamy, Deepak Kumar, Arun Singh R. and K. Gopalakrishna Bhat (2019). Flora of Peninsular India. http://peninsula.ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Abutilon crispum. Downloaded on 26 March 2025
10. India Biodiversity Portal. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/263539
11. India Flora - Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/FloraPeninsular/herbsheet.php?id=5589&cat=7
12. Rao KS, Lakshminarayana G. Characteristics and composition of six malvaceae seeds and the oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 1984 Aug;61(8):1345-6.
13. Carvalho PR, Aguiar JS, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Teles YC, Souza MD, Medeiros PL, Silva EC, Silva TG, Carneiro do Nascimento S. In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the flavonol glycosides isolated of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Latin American Journal of Pharmacy. 2011;30.
14. Pereira CK, Oliveira AM, Penha AR, Teles YC, Matias WN, Souza MF, Almeida RN, Assis TS. Antinociceptive effect of the ethanol crude extract of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. J Med Plants Res. 2012 Dec 10;6(47):5813-8
15. Souto Pereira CK, De Farias Nóbrega FF, Da Fonsêca DV, Da Silva Stiebbe Salvadori MG, Fernandes Oliveira AM, Soares Penha AR, Matias WN, De Souza MD, De Almeida RN, De Assis TS. Anti-inflammatory activity and participation of the glutamatergic system on the antinociceptive activity of ethyl acetate phase of Herisantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. InBMC Proceedings 2014 Oct (Vol. 8, pp. 1-1). BioMed Central.
16. Mohan R, Ganapaty S. Anti-inflammatory and toxicity studies of the leaves of Abutilon crispum. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars. 2015;4:108-11.
17. Hunto ST, Shin KK, Kim HG, Park SH, Oh J, Sung GH, Hossain MA, Rho HS, Lee J, Kim JH, Cho JY. Phosphatidylinositide 3‐Kinase Contributes to the Anti‐Inflammatory Effect of Abutilon crispum L. Medik Methanol Extract. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;2018(1):1935902.
18. de Oliveira AM, Pinheiro LS, Pereira CK, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Chaves OS, de Souza MD, de Almeida RN, de Assis TS. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of some Malvaceae family species. Antioxidants. 2012 Oct 26;1(1):33-43.
19. S.Rajasekar, R.Thiruvenkatasubramaniam, B.Sangameswaran, & S.Kannan. (2024). Pharmacognostical, preliminary phytochemical and in vivo anti diabetic activity and biochemical parameters of Abutilon crispum. International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 13(4), 522-535
20. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Abutilon crispum on Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics. 2025 Mar 1:0976500X241287041.
21. Mohan MR, Reddy KS, Ganapaty S. Hepatoprotective activity of the leaves of Abutilon crispum (Linn) Medicus 774-779.
22. Lima IO, Costa VB, Matias WN, Costa DA, Antas e Silva D, Agra MD, Souza MD, Lima ED, Batista LM. Biological activity of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2009;19:249-54
23. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Toxicity Studies of Abutilon crispum and Indigofera prostrata Whole Plants on Wistar Rats. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research. 2024 Nov 1;8(11).
References
1. Semwal DK, Chauhan A, Kumar A, Aswal S, Semwal RB, Kumar A. Status of Indian medicinal plants in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the future of Ayurvedic drugs: Shouldn’t think about Ayurvedic fundamentals?. Journal of integrative medicine. 2019 Jul 1;17(4):238-43.
2. Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E. From traditional ethnopharmacology to modern natural drug discovery: A methodology discussion and specific examples. Molecules. 2022 Jun 24;27(13):4060.
3. Vasisht K, Sharma N, Karan M. Current perspective in the international trade of medicinal plants material: an update. Current pharmaceutical design. 2016 Aug 1;22(27):4288-336.
4. Abat JK, Kumar S, Mohanty A. Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and ethnopharmacological aspects of four medicinal plants of Malvaceae used in Indian traditional medicines: A review. Medicines. 2017 Oct 18;4(4):75.
5. Khadabadi SS, Bhajipale NS. A review on some important medicinal plants of Abutilon spp.
6. Sekhar PC, Kumar YV, Grace JR, Kumar OA, Murty PP. Some ethno medicinal plants used for the treatment of piles by the kondadora tribe of Northern Andhra Pradesh, AP, India 803-809.
7. Thiruvenkatasubramaniam R, Sangameswaran B, Visan M, Vinothkumar S, Yogesh M. A Review on Pharmacological Activities of Abutilon crispum (Linn). International Journal of Scientific Research and Technology. 2025 Mar 3.
8. WFO (2025): Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000511832. Accessed on: 26 Mar 2025
9. Sankara Rao, K., Raja K Swamy, Deepak Kumar, Arun Singh R. and K. Gopalakrishna Bhat (2019). Flora of Peninsular India. http://peninsula.ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Abutilon crispum. Downloaded on 26 March 2025
10. India Biodiversity Portal. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/263539
11. India Flora - Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/FloraPeninsular/herbsheet.php?id=5589&cat=7
12. Rao KS, Lakshminarayana G. Characteristics and composition of six malvaceae seeds and the oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 1984 Aug;61(8):1345-6.
13. Carvalho PR, Aguiar JS, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Teles YC, Souza MD, Medeiros PL, Silva EC, Silva TG, Carneiro do Nascimento S. In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the flavonol glycosides isolated of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Latin American Journal of Pharmacy. 2011;30.
14. Pereira CK, Oliveira AM, Penha AR, Teles YC, Matias WN, Souza MF, Almeida RN, Assis TS. Antinociceptive effect of the ethanol crude extract of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. J Med Plants Res. 2012 Dec 10;6(47):5813-8
15. Souto Pereira CK, De Farias Nóbrega FF, Da Fonsêca DV, Da Silva Stiebbe Salvadori MG, Fernandes Oliveira AM, Soares Penha AR, Matias WN, De Souza MD, De Almeida RN, De Assis TS. Anti-inflammatory activity and participation of the glutamatergic system on the antinociceptive activity of ethyl acetate phase of Herisantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. InBMC Proceedings 2014 Oct (Vol. 8, pp. 1-1). BioMed Central.
16. Mohan R, Ganapaty S. Anti-inflammatory and toxicity studies of the leaves of Abutilon crispum. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars. 2015;4:108-11.
17. Hunto ST, Shin KK, Kim HG, Park SH, Oh J, Sung GH, Hossain MA, Rho HS, Lee J, Kim JH, Cho JY. Phosphatidylinositide 3‐Kinase Contributes to the Anti‐Inflammatory Effect of Abutilon crispum L. Medik Methanol Extract. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;2018(1):1935902.
18. de Oliveira AM, Pinheiro LS, Pereira CK, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Chaves OS, de Souza MD, de Almeida RN, de Assis TS. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of some Malvaceae family species. Antioxidants. 2012 Oct 26;1(1):33-43.
19. S.Rajasekar, R.Thiruvenkatasubramaniam, B.Sangameswaran, & S.Kannan. (2024). Pharmacognostical, preliminary phytochemical and in vivo anti diabetic activity and biochemical parameters of Abutilon crispum. International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 13(4), 522-535
20. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Abutilon crispum on Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics. 2025 Mar 1:0976500X241287041.
21. Mohan MR, Reddy KS, Ganapaty S. Hepatoprotective activity of the leaves of Abutilon crispum (Linn) Medicus 774-779.
22. Lima IO, Costa VB, Matias WN, Costa DA, Antas e Silva D, Agra MD, Souza MD, Lima ED, Batista LM. Biological activity of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2009;19:249-54
23. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Toxicity Studies of Abutilon crispum and Indigofera prostrata Whole Plants on Wistar Rats. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research. 2024 Nov 1;8(11).
2. Pirintsos S, Panagiotopoulos A, Bariotakis M, Daskalakis V, Lionis C, Sourvinos G, Karakasiliotis I, Kampa M, Castanas E. From traditional ethnopharmacology to modern natural drug discovery: A methodology discussion and specific examples. Molecules. 2022 Jun 24;27(13):4060.
3. Vasisht K, Sharma N, Karan M. Current perspective in the international trade of medicinal plants material: an update. Current pharmaceutical design. 2016 Aug 1;22(27):4288-336.
4. Abat JK, Kumar S, Mohanty A. Ethnomedicinal, phytochemical and ethnopharmacological aspects of four medicinal plants of Malvaceae used in Indian traditional medicines: A review. Medicines. 2017 Oct 18;4(4):75.
5. Khadabadi SS, Bhajipale NS. A review on some important medicinal plants of Abutilon spp.
6. Sekhar PC, Kumar YV, Grace JR, Kumar OA, Murty PP. Some ethno medicinal plants used for the treatment of piles by the kondadora tribe of Northern Andhra Pradesh, AP, India 803-809.
7. Thiruvenkatasubramaniam R, Sangameswaran B, Visan M, Vinothkumar S, Yogesh M. A Review on Pharmacological Activities of Abutilon crispum (Linn). International Journal of Scientific Research and Technology. 2025 Mar 3.
8. WFO (2025): Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Published on the Internet;http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000511832. Accessed on: 26 Mar 2025
9. Sankara Rao, K., Raja K Swamy, Deepak Kumar, Arun Singh R. and K. Gopalakrishna Bhat (2019). Flora of Peninsular India. http://peninsula.ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Abutilon crispum. Downloaded on 26 March 2025
10. India Biodiversity Portal. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiabiodiversity.org/species/show/263539
11. India Flora - Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc. (n.d.). Abutilon crispum (L.) Medik. Retrieved June 25, 2025, from https://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/FloraPeninsular/herbsheet.php?id=5589&cat=7
12. Rao KS, Lakshminarayana G. Characteristics and composition of six malvaceae seeds and the oils. Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 1984 Aug;61(8):1345-6.
13. Carvalho PR, Aguiar JS, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Teles YC, Souza MD, Medeiros PL, Silva EC, Silva TG, Carneiro do Nascimento S. In vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the flavonol glycosides isolated of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Latin American Journal of Pharmacy. 2011;30.
14. Pereira CK, Oliveira AM, Penha AR, Teles YC, Matias WN, Souza MF, Almeida RN, Assis TS. Antinociceptive effect of the ethanol crude extract of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. J Med Plants Res. 2012 Dec 10;6(47):5813-8
15. Souto Pereira CK, De Farias Nóbrega FF, Da Fonsêca DV, Da Silva Stiebbe Salvadori MG, Fernandes Oliveira AM, Soares Penha AR, Matias WN, De Souza MD, De Almeida RN, De Assis TS. Anti-inflammatory activity and participation of the glutamatergic system on the antinociceptive activity of ethyl acetate phase of Herisantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. InBMC Proceedings 2014 Oct (Vol. 8, pp. 1-1). BioMed Central.
16. Mohan R, Ganapaty S. Anti-inflammatory and toxicity studies of the leaves of Abutilon crispum. International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars. 2015;4:108-11.
17. Hunto ST, Shin KK, Kim HG, Park SH, Oh J, Sung GH, Hossain MA, Rho HS, Lee J, Kim JH, Cho JY. Phosphatidylinositide 3‐Kinase Contributes to the Anti‐Inflammatory Effect of Abutilon crispum L. Medik Methanol Extract. Evidence‐Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2018;2018(1):1935902.
18. de Oliveira AM, Pinheiro LS, Pereira CK, Matias WN, Gomes RA, Chaves OS, de Souza MD, de Almeida RN, de Assis TS. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of some Malvaceae family species. Antioxidants. 2012 Oct 26;1(1):33-43.
19. S.Rajasekar, R.Thiruvenkatasubramaniam, B.Sangameswaran, & S.Kannan. (2024). Pharmacognostical, preliminary phytochemical and in vivo anti diabetic activity and biochemical parameters of Abutilon crispum. International Journal of Research in Pharmacology & Pharmacotherapeutics, 13(4), 522-535
20. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Abutilon crispum on Normal and Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats. Journal of Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics. 2025 Mar 1:0976500X241287041.
21. Mohan MR, Reddy KS, Ganapaty S. Hepatoprotective activity of the leaves of Abutilon crispum (Linn) Medicus 774-779.
22. Lima IO, Costa VB, Matias WN, Costa DA, Antas e Silva D, Agra MD, Souza MD, Lima ED, Batista LM. Biological activity of Herissantia crispa (L.) Brizicky. Revista Brasileira de Farmacognosia. 2009;19:249-54
23. Manjeera K, Sundararajan R. Toxicity Studies of Abutilon crispum and Indigofera prostrata Whole Plants on Wistar Rats. Tropical Journal of Natural Product Research. 2024 Nov 1;8(11).