The present study was aimed at comprehensive overviewing a phytochemically and biologically important species namely Torilis japonica (Apiaceae family). Treatment of dysentery, fever, haemorrhoids, spasm, uterine tumors, lymphadenitis, rheumatism, impotence, infertility, women's diseases, and chronic diarrhea are reported as the main folk medicinal applications of the T. japonica fruits. So far, the plant is phytochemically characterized for its diverse terpene derivatives, predominantly sesquiterpenes. The plant's fruit is a rich source of torlin, a guaiane-type sesquiterpene, possessing various potent bioactivities. To date, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, skin photoaging activities of the plant extracts and its constituents have been evaluated. Further investigation of the plant, specifically bioassay-guided isolation and identification of its major bioactive constituents can lead to discover potential phytopharmaceutical candidates.
Keywords: Torilis japonica; bioactivity; ethnomedicine; phytochemistry; torilin.
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