A comprehensive review on Chamaecostus cuspidatus and its botanical aspects, therapeutic potentials, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and future prospects

Abstract

Chamaecostus cuspidatus commonly referred to as the ‘insulin plant’, is a member of Costaceae family, is commonly used as an anti-diabetic herbal treatment. There have been various reports about the species possessing potential to lower the blood glucose level. Morphologically, Chamaecostus cuspidatus species stand proudly at heights ranging from 2 to 4 feet, adorned with elegant flower heads crowning their slender stalks. The shrub is characterized by its rhizomatous nature revered for its medicinal properties, which includes fever, rash, asthma, bronchitis, intestinal worms, and various afflictions affecting the eyes, stomach, neck, jaws, tongue, and mouth. Biochemical analysis revealed that the species is affluent in alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, lignins, saponins, steroids, tannins, and phytosterol particularly with triterpenes. The data on the species was searched online in various scientific databases and platforms such as Google Scholar, Scopus Sci-finder, Science Direct, Springer, PubMed and Wiley from 1922 till February 2024. The various pharmacological activities of the species are hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic activity against calcium oxalate urolithiasis, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer activities. Among all the other pharmacological activities, antidiabetic potential of Chamaecostus cuspidatus species have got lots of attention as it is affecting people at an alarming rate and the drugs used for its treatment are synthetic and possess side effects. Hence, the full potential of this species can be exploited and used for the development of a safer plant-based drug for lowering blood glucose level. Chamaecostus cuspidatus species have been considered medically important due to its various pharmacological aspects but all the scientific evidences regarding the pharmacological aspects have not been well compiled yet, hence this review article will provide well compiled morphology, taxonomy, pharmacology, and toxicity of Chamaecostus cuspidatus.