An underexplored treasure of the Himalayas: Ethnobotany, phytochemical, and pharmacological relevance of Angelica glauca Edgew

Angelica glauca Edgew., a member of the Apiaceae family, is an endangered plant that is an important medicinal and aromatic herb of the Himalayas. A. glauca has been used for centuries in traditional health care systems to cure various diseases like fever, cold, bronchitis, rheumatism, and digestive diseases. It is commonly used by indigenous people as a spice ingredient in different cuisines. Many plant phytochemicals have been identified in this plant, including (Z)-ligustilide, (Z)-butylidene phthalide, (E)-butylidene phthalide, and others, which are the principal cause of its medicinal efficacy. The plant possesses various biological properties, such as antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, broncho-relaxant, anticancer, and neuroprotective actions that have been supported by multiple studies. The primary components of this plant with pharmacological relevance are its roots, which produce more essential oil than other plant parts. Its roots are primarily used to treat digestive diseases as they have carminative properties. Since it has high essential oil content, this plant has become valuable to the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries. It is widely used in various medicinal applications; however, scientific information about its uses is limited, and hence, its potential as a medicinal plant is not yet fully explored. Intending to encourage more pharmacological research to fully uncover the potential of A. glauca as a therapeutic agent, this review attempts to present a critical and thorough evaluation of the ethnobotanical, morphological, chemical, and pharmacological aspects of the plant from ancient times to the present.