Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Genus Indigofera: A Review

In this review, the existing literature data on the phytochemical and biological studies of the genus Indigofera are outlined with 71 references. Up till now, 65 compounds were secluded from various species of genus Indigofera. The chemical components are mostly terpenoids, flavonoids and nitro group containing compounds, together with steroids and others. The metabolites and crude extracts of the genus indigofera were found to exhibit various bioactivities including, antimicrobial, insecticidal, phytotoxic, antiulcergenic, hepatotoxic, teratogenic and cytotoxicity. Other constituents isolated from the genus Indigofera displayed inhibitory activity against the enzyme lipoxygenase and gastrointestinal activity. This review represents a brief description of the total Phytochemical and Pharmacological activities of genus Indigofera as well as chemotaxonomic classification of chemical constituents.