THE PHYTOCHEMICAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND MEDICINAL EVALUATION OF QUINOA (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.)

ABSTRACT   Chenopodium quinoa (Quinoa) is a nutrient-rich pseudo cereal crop, which has been introduced in Pakistan in the past due to its high medicinal and commercial value. The plant contains huge number of phytochemicals i.e. amino acids, fiber, minerals, vitamins, secondary metabolites, bioactive proteins and peptides which could be used in various medicine for human and other animal’s health. In addition, it has been reported that the quinoa leaves, root, and seed are used in the treatment of diabetes, cancer, inflammations, fungal infections, and other numerous health problems. Besides, its high energy, nutrient content, therapeutic properties, and lack of gluten, it is considered to be useful for children, the elderly, lactose-intolerant people, and osteoporosis in women. This comprehensive study provides medical uses, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of quinoa. Also, the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-lipidemic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects have been reviewed. This review is providing the detail study about the phytochemicals and pharmacological evaluation of quinoa till date, and also provides pave for future investigations and exploitation of Chenopodium quinoa.