Capsella Bursa-pastoris (L.) Medic: An Insight into its Pharmacology, Expository Traditional Uses and Extensive Phytochemistry

Introduction: Capsella bursa-pastoris(L.) Medic is a traditional herb of the genus Capsella with long-standing Pakistan, India, Iraq, Cyprus, Turkey, Iran, Azarbayjan, Europe, Saudi Arabia, China and many other regions of Asian countries ethnomedical records. Preliminary studies from the animal model have provided valuable scientific evidence for its use, also the novel bioactive compounds. Aim: This review aims to summarize the ethnopharmacology, selected scientific evidence on the pharmacological properties and phytochemistry of C. bursa-pastoris(L.) Medic over the past 38 years while identifying potential areas of further development of this herb as an economical adjunct. Methods: The review covers literature pertaining to the evidence-based on ethnopharmacology, therapeutic potential, and phytochemistry of C. bursa-pastoris(L.) Medic spanning from 1980 to 2018 available on Non-English journals and English/Non-English- MS worldwide accepted scientific databases via electronic search (Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Web of Science, Wiley online library) and Ph.D. thesis databases (e.g., CKNI-China, JAIRO-Japan, Shodhganga-India, Myto-Malaysia, etc.). Results: Evidence suggests that the extracts and some compounds from. bursa-pastoris(L.) Medic possessantimicrobial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, smooth muscle contraction, infertility, antioxidant, cardiovascular, sedative, hepatoprotective and acetylcholinesterase inhibitor properties. C. bursa-pastoris, besides having pharmacological profile has an acceptable nutritional value also due to its novel bioactive compounds such as phytosterols, phenolics, flavonoids, fatty acids, organic acids, peptides and amino acids. Conclusion: Scientific evidence suggests that there is a strong pharmacological potential in developing C. bursa-pastoris (L.) According to the Medic, it is a drug which is used in the treatment of various disorders from antimicrobial to anticancer therapy. C. bursa-pastoris can be a rich source for the advancement of novel drugs to treat many human diseases due to the wide range of chemical constituents present in the plant. Various ethnomedical uses and phytochemicals responsible for these uses have not been evaluated yet to their fullest.