THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL OF ERODIUM CICUTARIUM - A REVIEW

Erodium cicutarium contained tannin, catechins, gallic and elagic acids, sugars (glucose, galactose, fructose), amino acids (glycine,alanine, proline, histidine, tryptophan, tyrosine, glutamic acid), vitamins K and C. The essential oils of Erodium cicutarium contained isomenthone (11.2%), citronellol (15.4%), geraniol (16.7%) and methyl eugenol (10.6%). Erodium cicutarium possessed many pharmacological effects included antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, interferon inducing effects, antioxidant, spasmogenic effects on uterus and diaphragmtic muscles and cardiac negative ionotropic action. The current review discussed the constituents and pharmacological effects of Erodium cicutarium. Keywords: Erodium cicutarium, pharmacology, medicinal plants, constituents.