Calendula officinalis -An Important Medicinal Plant with Potential Biological Properties
Abstract
Abstract:
Objective Calendula officinalis L., commonly known as pot marigold is used worldwide because of its various medicinal properties. The plant contains various phytochemicals including carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, carotenoids, terpenoids, flavonoids, quinones, coumarins and other constituents. The plant also possesses various biological activities including wound healing, immunostimulant, spasmogenic and spasmolytic, hepatoprotective, genotoxic and antigenotoxic, anti-amylase, anti-inflammatory, anti-oedematous, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-HIV and anti-cancerous, nephroprotective, prevention of oropharyngeal mucositis, hypoglycemic and gastroprotective activities with no toxic effect. In this article, various aspects of calendula such including its botanical characteristics, phytochemistry and medicinal properties are discussed.