Phytochemical and Pharmacological Insights Into Ranunculus hirtellus Royle: An Animal’s Fodder Plant

Abstract

Background

Ranunculus hirtellus Royle, a perennial herb belonging to the Ranunculaceae family, is native to the Himalayan region and widely used in traditional medicine. The plant is valued for its diverse applications as an anthelmintic, cooling agent, wound healer, livestock feed, and for managing gout, reproductive disorders, and skin conditions. Despite its considerable ethnobotanical importance, a comprehensive review of its traditional uses and pharmacological properties is still lacking.

Aim of the Study

This study aims to systematically review the available literature on the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties of R. hirtellus, thereby providing a foundation for future pharmacological and experimental research.

Materials and Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar and PubMed to identify studies related to the ethnobotanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological aspects of R. hirtellus. The review focused on its traditional uses, bioactive compounds, and experimentally validated biological activities.

Results

R. hirtellus contains various phytochemicals, including flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, quinones, lactones, and lignified fibers. It exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antifungal, anthelmintic, antiaging, antigout, anti-irritant, and wound healing properties. In addition, it is used as livestock feed, a cooling agent, and for treating reproductive disorders. Preliminary evidence suggests its potential for anticancer, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antiasthmatic effects, which remain underexplored.

Conclusion

This review consolidates the traditional and pharmacological knowledge of R. hirtellus, highlighting its biomedical potential. Further computational and experimental studies are warranted to validate its therapeutic properties and explore its unexplored pharmacological activities.