
Ustrakantaka (Echinops echinatus Roxburgh) from Folklore Field Practice to Therapeutics: A Narrative Review
Correspondence Address :
Dr. Monika,
PhD Scholar, Department of Dravyaguna Vigyan, MGACH and RC, Wardha-442001, Maharashtra, India.
E-mail: monika.harmony@gmail.com
“Ustrakantaka,” the botanical source of which is Echinops echinatus Roxb., is a wild branched xerophytic herb. It has a long history of use in traditional medicine, primarily valued for its stimulant properties in addressing sexual dysfunction and debility. The roots (mula), leaves (patra), flower (pushpa) and bark (twak) are frequently employed in folklore and Ayurveda. This plant exhibits multifaceted therapeutic potential, addressing urinary, liver and gynaecological disorders while also demonstrating antimicrobial, analgesic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The plant’s pharmacological activities are rooted in its diverse phytochemical profile, featuring the flavonoid apigenin and apigenin-7-O-glucoside, the phenolic compound Echinacin and the alkaloid Echinopsine. The present literature review provides an in-depth examination of Echinops echinatus, synthesising contemporary research on its historical context, ethnomedical application, pharmacognosy, phytoconstituents, pharmacological action and biological activity of the plant.
Ethnomedicine, Flavonoids, Gynaecological disorders
DOI: 10.7860/JCDR/2025/76024.20718
Date of Submission: Oct 05, 2024
Date of Peer Review: Dec 03, 2024
Date of Acceptance: Jan 08, 2025
Date of Publishing: Mar 01, 2025
AUTHOR DECLARATION:
• Financial or Other Competing Interests: None
• Was Ethics Committee Approval obtained for this study? No
• Was informed consent obtained from the subjects involved in the study? No
• For any images presented appropriate consent has been obtained from the subjects. NA
PLAGIARISM CHECKING METHODS:
• Plagiarism X-checker: Oct 08, 2024
• Manual Googling: Jan 04, 2025
• iThenticate Software: Jan 06, 2025 (2%)
ETYMOLOGY: Author Origin
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