Biomedical importance of Lablab purpureus: A review
Smitha S. Bhat, Chandan Shivamallu, Kollur Shiva Prasad, Shashanka K. Prasad
Abstract
Natural sources of medicine have been in practice for a long time. Being a part of traditional medicine, Lablab purpureus has been multifaceted legume used as a source of nutrition, as manure and as a medicinal herb, however it still remains underutilized. It is also a suitable source of carbohydrates, proteins as well as minerals. Phytochemical studies of the plant have identified a range of bioactives, including flavonoids, rotenoids, and steroids, which have significant biomedical activity, including antimicrobial, insecticidal, anti-diabetic, and anti-cancer effects on a wide range of cancers. Flavonoid genistein downregulates tyrosine kinase, arrests cell cycle, and elicits pleiotropic molecular changes leading to inhibition of uncontrolled cell growth and induction of apoptosis. This review highlights the promising role of the hyacinth bean as a medicinal plant due to its various phytochemicals, and their role in different biomedical activities for a wide spectrum of therapeutic applications.