IAJPS 2017, 4 (10), 3670-3672 Afzan Mahmad et al ISSN 2349-7750

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INDO AMERICAN JOURNAL OF

PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1036005

Available online at: http://www.iajps.com Review Article

EPIPHYLLUM OXYPETALUM HAW. : A LESSER KNOWN

MEDICINAL PLANT
Afzan Mahmad1,2*, Maizatul Shima Shaharun1, Bahruddin Saad1 and Gouri Kumar Dash2
1
Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
2
Faculty of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Royal College of Medicine
Perak, 31350, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Epiphyllum oxypetalum Haw. (Family-Cactaceae) is a unique plant with several traditional medicinal uses. The plant
has been used to treat bloody phlegm and cough, uterine bleeding and shortness of breath. Previous reports on this
plant has demonstrated significant pharmacological and biological effects such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant
and antimicrobial activities. Few phytochemical have been reported earlier by previous authors. Despite numerous
medicinal attributes, the plant has not drawn much attention to the researchers. The current review compiles updated
information collected from all possible scientific sources that would be helpful to the future investigators for
pursuing further studies on the plant.
Keywords: Epiphyllum oxypetalum Haw. Traditional uses, Phytochemistry, Bioactivity
Corresponding Author:
Afzan binti Mahmad, QR code
Department of Fundamental and Applied Science,
Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS,
32610, Seri Iskandar, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: 0060133253350 (Mobile)
Fax: 00605-2536634
Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Please cite this article in press as Afzan binti Mahmad et al , Epiphyllum oxypetalum haw. : A Lesser Known
Medicinal Plant , Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2017; 4(10).

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INTRODUCTION: up to 30 cm long, 12-17 cm wide [1]. The genus

The use of plants for medicinal purposes dates back to Epiphyllum is true cacti, but are often labeled as
earlier recorded human history. Traditional medicines "epicacti" or "jungle cacti" to differentiate it from the
chiefly containing medicinal plants have always related desert flora.
played a vital role as important alternatives to The taxonomic classification and nomenclature of the
conventional medicines in developing countries. The E. oxypetalum is shown in Table 1.
use of medicinal plants or their products is more
popular especially among the poor communities that Table 1: Taxonomy of Epiphyllum oxypetalum
inhabit rural areas and lack access to health.
Alternatively, there has been an enormous increase in Kingdom Plantae
the demand of medicinal plants across the globe for Sub Kingdom Tracheobionta
their chemical diversity and for the production of Superdivison Spermatophyta
newer therapeutic moieties to control various diseases. Divison Magnoliophyta
In spite of tremendous advancement made in the
Class Magnoliopsida
discovery of new synthetic drugs, medicinal plants
have still retained their therapy in the literature. Order Caryophyllales
Therefore, research on medicinal plants always Family Cactaceae
remained a potential area of investigation. Genus Epiphyllum
E. oxypetalum Haw (Fig. 1), commonly known as Species E.oxypetalum
Bakawali or Bunga Raja in Malaysia, is an Binomial name Epiphyllum oxypetalum
important medicinal plant from the species of Cactus Haworth
(family-Cactaceae), finds its application in the Malay
traditional medicine. The plant is often cultivated as
ornamental plant but also used by rural people for TRADITIONAL USES
medicinal purposes. E. oxypetalum has several traditional uses and forms
an important ingredient in Malay traditional medicine.
The plant is often used to treat bloody phlegm and
cough, uterine bleeding and shortness of breath in old
people. In addition, the constituents of E. oxypetalum
are believed to have strong ability to stifle pain and are
capable neutralizing blood clotting [3]. The stems are
reported to cure cardiac affections and dropsy [1]. The
Vietnamese used the petals of the faded blooms to
make soups, which are believed to have tonic and
aphrodisiac properties. Additionally, the flowers are
used to treat wound abscesses for quick healing [1].
Fig. 1. E. oxypetalum Haw [1]
PHYTOCHEMISTRY
BOTANY AND TAXONOMY The present knowledge on phytochemistry of this
The family of Cactaceae comprises about 130 genera species is still limited. Dandekar et al., [6] reported
with some 1870 known species [2]. Oxypetalum is a that the GC-MS analysis of the leaves revealed
Latin name derived with reference to the acute shape presence of the following compounds: ethanone, 1-(2-
of the petals. The plant has received several other hydroxy-5-methylphenyl)-; 4-Hydroxy-2-
popular names such as Night-blooming cereus and methylacetophenone; Megastigmatrienone; Cycloocta-
Queen of the Night. The plant, though a cultivated 1,3,6-triene,2,3,5,5,8,8-hexamethyl; 2,5-Dihydroxy-4
species, grows well under full sun or light afternoon isopropyl-2,4,6-cycloheptatrien-1-one; n-
shade during dry months. The stems are erect, Hexadecanoic acid; 4-((1E)-3 Hydroxy-1-propenyl)-2-
branched, sprawling or climbing, primary stems are methoxyphenol ;Octadecanoic acid; Phytol; 6-octen-1-
cylindrical and flattened laterally. The plant blooms ol,3,7-dimethyl; Stigmasterol; Cholesta-22,24-dien-5-
large white star-like flowers with lovely fragrances. ol,4,4- dimethyl; 22-stigmasten-3-one, Allyldimethyl
The size of the flower is about 6 to 8 inches in (prop-1-ynyl) silane; Sulfurous acid, cyclohexylmethyl
diameter and the blooming takes place after sunset. hexyl ester; Heptacosane; Nonadecane, 2-methyl-;
The flowers stay open all night and close in the Hexadecane, 2,6,10,14- tetramethyl-; Octadecane, 2-
morning before sunrise. The flowers are produced methyl-; Eicosane, 2-methyl-; Spinasterone; 4,22-
from the flattened portions of the plant and can grow Stigmastadiene-3-one; Tetracosane; Hentriacontane;
Stigmast-4-en-3-one and Testosterone cypionate
respectively.

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 IAJPS 2017, 4 (10), 3670-3672 Afzan Mahmad et al ISSN 2349-7750

the synthesized AgNPs against test organisms. The

BIOACTIVITY efficiency of silver nanoparticles was further increased
Anti-inflammatory activity when accessed in combination with other antibiotics
Dandekar et al., [3] reported the anti-inflammatory against test organisms.
activities of alcohol and aqueous extracts of the leaves
of E. oxypetalum. The study was performed through CONCLUSION:
both in vitro and in vivo models. The in vitro models The leaves of E. oxypetalum contain various bioactive
included human red blood cell membrane stabilization compounds, which are reflected from their diverse
and inhibition of protein denaturation methods. The in medicinal properties. However, the plant has not yet
vivo anti-inflammatory activity was assessed on albino been attracted the attention of the researchers due to
rats using carrageenan induced paw edema model. The availability of little information in the literature. More
extracts were tested at 200, 400 and 400 mg/kg, p.o. attention is needed to explore the plant for other
Aspirin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) was used as the standard drug possible medicinal activities.
for comparison of the activity. Results of the study
revealed significant anti-inflammatory activity of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
test extracts in a dose dependent manner with an This research is supported by Short Term Internal
observation that aqueous leaf extracts showed better Research Fund (STIRF) from Universiti Teknologi
activity than the alcohol extract. Petronas (UTP)

Antioxidant activity CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The aqueous and ethanol extracts of the dried leaves E. The authors declare no conflict of interest.
oxypetalum were evaluated for antioxidant activity by
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