Genus Amorphophallus: A Comprehensive Overview on Phytochemistry, Ethnomedicinal Uses, and Pharmacological Activities

Abstract

The genus <i>Amorphophallus</i> belongs to the family Araceae. Plants belonging to this genus are available worldwide and have been used in traditional medicines since ancient times, mainly in Ayurveda and Unani medical practices. <i>Amorphophallus</i> species are an abundant source of polyphenolic compounds; these are accountable for their pharmacological properties, such as their analgesic, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antibacterial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiobesity, and immunomodulatory effects, as well as their ability to prevent gastrointestinal disturbance and reduce blood glucose. Moreover, <i>Amorphophallus</i> species contain numerous other classes of chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, steroids, fats and fixed oils, tannins, proteins, and carbohydrates, each of which contributes to the pharmacological effects for the treatment of acute rheumatism, tumors, lung swelling, asthma, vomiting, abdominal pain, and so on. Additionally, <i>Amorphophallus</i> species have been employed in numerous herbal formulations and pharmaceutical applications. There has been no extensive review conducted on the <i>Amorphophallus</i> genus as of yet, despite the fact that several experimental studies are being published regularly discussing these plants' pharmacological properties. So, this review discusses in detail the pharmacological properties of <i>Amorphophallus</i> species. We also discuss phytochemical constituents in the <i>Amorphophallus</i> species and their ethnomedicinal uses and toxicological profiles.

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