OVERVIEW OF BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS, BIOLOGICAL PROPERTIES AND THERAPEUTIC EFFECTS OF PLECTRANTHUS AMBOINICUS

Plectranthus amboinicus (Lour.) Spreng is a perennial plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family which is found naturally in the tropics and warm regions of Australia, Asia and Africa. This plant has therapeutic properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, antiepileptic and analgesic activities) attributed to its phytochemical compounds (76 volatiles and 30 non-volatile compounds belonging to different classes of phytochemicals such as monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, phenolics, flavonoids, esters, alcohols and aldehydes), which are highly valued in the pharmaceutical industry. P. amboinicus is widely used in traditional medicine to treat respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary and skin conditions such as cold, cough, fever, asthma, constipation, headache and skin diseases. In recent years, due to the increased interest in herbal treatments, numerous research studies have been conducted to document the traditional uses of P. amboinicus and to find new biological effects of this plant. This review provides comprehensive information on the biological properties and bioactive compounds responsible for the therapeutic effects of P. amboinicus.