The African Spider Plant (Gynandropsis pentaphylla – DC. Syn. Cleome gynandra Linn.) (Capparaceae): Phytochemistry, Pharmacological and Biotechnological Properties - A Review

African Spider Plant or Cat's Whisker (Gynandropsis pentaphylla syn to Cleome gynandra Linn. (Family: Capparaceae) is an important leafy vegetable that grows in wild form as a ruderal weed throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world; mainly near human settlements. It is believed to have originated from African and Southeast Asia and might have spread to other parts of the world. It has been used as a medicinal plant in Ayurveda and other systems of medicine as a curative medicine for several ailments such as neuralgia, headache, cough, wounds, anthelmintic, rubefacient, counterirritant, anti-malarial, anti-cancer, anti-HIV and anti-fever etc. Even it has been widely used against snake bite and scorpion stings. Except stem, all other parts (leaves, seed, flowers, and roots) proved to have medicinal properties. In fact, the interest in Phytochemistry has began as early as 1906; so far more than 50 compounds have been isolated from different parts of the plant such as Saponnins, Glycosides, lectins, steroids, flavanoids, tannins, triterpenes, resins, phenolic compounds, Glucosinates and arthoquinones. Nutritionally the leaves are rich in Vitamin C, iron and Ca. The seed has high contents of glutamic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, lysine, tyrosine and histidine. Further, the seed also contain higher levels of polyunsaturated oils with high content of oleic and linoleic acids. It has rich anti-oxidants hence it helps in counteracting carcinogenesis. It has antimicrobial and anti-bacterial property with most species showing sensitivity including those that are highly problematic organisms such as Alternaria, Fusarium, Candida Colletotrichum etc. These properties have applications in the fields of Agriculture and human medicines.