Nehru et al., IJPSR, 2021; Vol. 12(5): 2559-2569.

E-ISSN: 0975-8232; P-ISSN: 2320-5148

IJPSR (2021), Volume 12, Issue 5 (Review Article)

Received on 01 May 2020; received in revised form, 08 October 2020; accepted, 12 April 2021; published 01 May 2021

A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW ON THE GENUS LEEA (FAMILY LEEACEAE) WITH

SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON THE INDIAN SPECIES
Amisha Nehru, Yash Shah, Jyoti Sharma, Yagni Shah, Parth Thummar, Preeti Verma and Mamta Shah *
Department of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry, L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009,
Gujarat, India.
Keywords: ABSTRACT: The genus Leea distributed majorly in tropical and subtropical
Leea genus, Leeaceae, Taxonomic regions of Asia, Africa, and Madagascar, belongs to the family Leeaceae. It
ambiguity, Phytochemistry, Medicinal comprises 36 species that are used worldwide for different medicinal
uses purposes. In this decade, research interests in the genus Leea have grown in
Correspondence to Author: the fields of systematics, phylogenetic studies, analytical chemistry,
Prof. Mamta B. Shah identification and isolation of active metabolites, pharmacology, and
Professor & Head,
phytochemistry. A wide range of phytochemicals with a variety of
Department of Pharmacognosy and pharmacological activities were found to be possessed by different species of
Phytochemistry, L. M. College of the Leea family, flavonoids, phenolics, triterpenoids, and tannins being the
Pharmacy, Ahmedabad - 380009, major ones. Different plant parts are claimed to be used for the treatment of
Gujarat, India. human and animal ailments. Unlike members of Vitaceae, Leeaceae
members (Leea species) do not form tendrils and include erect herbs, shrubs
E-mail: [email protected] and trees but have shared features such as raphides, minute droplets of plant
sap called pearl glands, phloem plastids, common corolla-stamen primordia,
as well as similar wood and testa anatomy similar to Vitaceae family. This
review reveals new insights on the genus Leea and the potential use of
species in the genus as medicinal plants, with Leea indica and Leea
macrophylla being the most important species, whose roots, leaves, and
whole plants possess various pharmacological actions as they are rich in
flavonoids, triterpenoids, and tannins.
INTRODUCTION: It is evident from human These bioactive compounds can be used as
history that plants are of great importance in precursors for the development of natural, environ-
traditional as well as modern medicines. Plants ment friendly, and low toxicity pharmaceuticals,
naturally produce secondary metabolites, also nutraceuticals, flavours, fragrances, cosmetics, and
called phytochemicals or biologically active pesticides due to their therapeutic and aromatic
compounds, which are involved in plant physio- properties 1. Leea is a genus of plants that are
logy, its protection mechanism, or just act as waste distributed throughout Northern and Eastern
products for the plants, but might be of great Australia, New Guinea, South, and South-east Asia,
importance to human beings. and parts of Africa.
QUICK RESPONSE CODE Leea contains approximately 36 species and is
DOI:
10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.12(5).2559-69 placed in its monogeneric family Leeaceae 1. Out
of the 36 species, India has 11 species distributed in
different states, as mentioned in the database of the
This article can be accessed online on
www.ijpsr.com Botanical Survey of India 2, 3. Various studies of
different species of this genus recorded varied
DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.12(5).2559-69 pharmacological actions like antimicrobial, anti-

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oxidant, anticancer and nephroprotective effects. the rest of the 14 genera in subfamily Viticoideae
Root and leaf of Leea macrophylla contain Eaton. of the order Vitales, due to shared features
vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid such as raphides, pearl glands, phloem plastids,
along with vitamin B12 4. The main active consti- common corolla-stamen primordia as well as
tuents found in different species are flavonoids, similar wood and testa anatomy 12, 13, 15, 16.
triterpenoids, tannins, phenolic acids, and phthalate However, unlike members of Vitaceae, plants-
esters 3, 4. This review presents comprehensive species under Leea genus do not form tendrils and
information on Leea genus, including habit, include erect herbs, shrubs, and trees (not climbing
distribution, pharmacognosy, phytochemistry, vines) with terminal inflorescence and
traditional uses, and pharmacological properties of characteristically large stipules that protect the
plants of different species under the genus. In the developing leaves. Leea flowers also possess
review, an attempt has also been made to ponder ovaries with secondary septa and a distinct
over the significance of controversy revolving elaborate floral tube capped by stamens fused at the
around the preferred family for the genus Leea. center 11, 15, 16.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thorough The stamens detach as a coherent unit sometimes
literature survey of the genus Leea with focus on during anthesis to reveal the receptive stigma 8, 17.
Indian species was carried out, and information was The APG IV system places Leea in the subfamily
gathered using scientific publications and Leeoideae (Vitaceae) 18. It is occasionally tagged in
conference proceedings from Science Direct, its own monogeneric family, Leeaceae based on
PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Scopus, morphological differences between it and Vitaceae
10, 11, 15, 16
Springer Links, and ACS Publications, Scifinder, . These differences include ovule number
Books, Journals, etc. Besides, bibliographies of per locule (two in Vitaceae and one in Leeaceae),
referred articles on the pharmacognostic, phyto- carpel number (two in Vitaceae and three in
chemical, pharmacological and medicinal aspects Leeaceae), and the absence or presence of a
of various species of Leea were also referred. staminoidal tube (present in Leeaceae) and floral
disc (present in Vitaceae).
Taxonomic Ambiguity: Leeaceae, earlier
excluded from the family Vitaceae, is monogeneric Pollen structure has also been examined for
with about 36 species, of which 11 occur in India 5. taxonomic demarcation, though studies have
Members of this family are primarily confined to concluded that the pollen of Leeaceae is unique
Malaysia, Indo-china extending to Micronesia and compared to Vitaceae, suggesting the families
Melanesia, tropical and subtropical Asia, Australia, should remain separate 11, 17. Researchers noted the
and tropical Africa. The tropical plant genus Leea, presence of trihydroxy compounds in Leea, a
named after the 18th-century English nurseryman phytochemical trait lacking in the grapes. On the
James Lee, is the closest relative to the botanical basis of these morphological differences and
family of the grapes, Vitaceae. phytochemical differences, it has been preferred by
the researchers to continue segregation of Leea into
It was originally described by Van Royen, but was its own family, Leeaceae, as originally described
formally published by Linnaeus in 1767, with Leea earlier 19.
aequata designated as the type species. Leea genus
was formerly placed in Sapotaceae and was thought Habit and Distribution: Leea species grow in dry
to be related to either Meliaceae or Sterculiaceae. It deciduous forests, open grasslands, and montane or
was also more recently associated with Rhamnales lowland rainforests throughout the Old World
until this was refuted by molecular evidence 6-8. In tropics from Africa to Asia, North-east Australia,
contrast, according to some taxonomists, Leea was New Guinea, and Islands of the Pacific, but are
originally assigned to the family Ampelideae but most diverse in Indo-malaya, including India, Indo-
was transferred to the Leeaceae and then again to china (including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
Vitaceae 9-14. The Angiosperm Phylogeny Group Thailand, and Vietnam), tropical China and
(APG) considers Leea as a member of Vitaceae, Malaysia (including Brunei, Indonesia, East Timor,
under the subfamily Leeioideae Burmeister, with New Guinea, Philippines, and Singapore) 20. In

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India, it has a brief distribution of various species Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Madhya
found in the Indian subcontinent: Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andaman
 Leea aequata L. in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West
island 20-23.
Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh,
Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,  Leea rubra Blume ex Spreng. in West Bengal,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andaman islands Assam and Meghalaya 21, 22.
3, 9
.  Leea setuligera Clarke in Assam, Maharashtra
 Leea alata Edgew in Gangetic plains, Eastern (Khandala) and Karnataka (Konkan) 9, 22.
and Central India, ascending up to 1500 m in
the Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pharmacognostical Features: The distinguishing
Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, morphological features of some commonly
Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Odisha, and occurring Indian species of genus Leea are
Madhya Pradesh 3, 9. mentioned in Table 1.
 Leea angulata Korth. Ex Miq. in the coastal Phytochemistry: The major classes that have been
belts and Nicobar islands 9. studied in different species of Leea are flavonoids,
 Leea asiatica (L.) in Ridsdale in evergreen, triterpenoids, and phenolic acids. Leea indica
deciduous and lower mountain forests, up to [Local names- Bandicoot berry (English),
2250 m in the Himalaya, Uttar Pradesh, in Kurkurjihwa (Hindi)] 24. It is one of the most
grasslands and the plains of Jammu and important species of genus Leea in India, and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, different parts are reported to show the presence of
Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, 23 known chemical compounds, including 11
Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Odisha, hydrocarbons, phthalic acid, palmitic acid, 1-
Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Andhra eicosanol, solanesol, farnesol, three phthalic acid
Pradesh, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Bihar, Deccan esters, gallic acid, quercetin, lupeol, β-sitosterol
(Sandur hills), Maharashtra, Karnataka and and ursolic acid 26-29. L. macrophylla [Local names-
Andaman islands 3, 9, 20. Hastikarnapalasha, Hathikana (Hindi), Dholsa-
mudrika, Samudraka (Sanskrit)] 30. The leaf is
 Leea compactiflora Kurz. in evergreen forests documented to contain abundant phenolic
up to 2000 m in Uttar Pradesh (Terai), West constituents such as flavonoids, leucoantho-
Bengal, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, cyanidins, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, syringic acid
Assam, Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya 9, 21. and gallic acid 25.
 Leea grandifolia Kurz. in the coastal areas,
Oleanolic acid, oleanolic acid derivative 7α, 28-
Andaman and Nicobar islands 9. olean diol and stigmasterol have been isolated by
 Leea guineensis G. Don in Uttar Pradesh, chromatograpy from the ethanolic extract of the
Sikkim, Assam, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, root 31. Root and leaf are reported to contain
Meghalaya, Maharashtra, and the Andaman appreciable amounts of vitamin B1 (thiamine),
islands 22-23. vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
and vitamin B12 4. Chlorogenic acid, a phenolic
 Leea indica (Burm. f.) Merr. in Punjab, Uttar
acid, is noted to be present in root 32. Compounds
Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim,
identified in the ethanol extract of root by GC-MS
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Goa, Nagaland,
are 2,2-Bis (chloromethyl)-1-propanol; 2H – Pyran
Mizoram, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh,
– 2 - one; tetrahydro-4-hydroxy-6-pentyl; butylated
Meghalaya, Odisha, Maharashtra, Andhra
hydroxytoluene; benzaldehyde; 3-ethoxy-
Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andaman
and Nicobar islands 20-23. tetradecanoic acid; pentadecanoic acid; n-
hexadecanoic acid; l-(+)-ascorbic acid; 2,6-
 Leea macrophylla Roxb. ex Hornem. in Sub- dihexadecanoate; 9-octadecenoic acid; 1,2,3-
Himalayan tract up to 2250 m and the Western propanetriyl ester; octadecanoic acid; 12,13-epoxy-
Ghats, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, octadec-9-enoic acid; eicosanoic acid; docosanal;

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(2,3-diphenylcyclopropyl)methylphenyl sulfoxide; perhydrol; stigmasta-4,7,22-trien-3β-ol; cholesta-

2 – Hydroxy – 4 – methoxy - 7 - methyl 7, 8, 9, 10, 4,6-dien-3-ol; (3β) - stigmasterol; γ - sitosterol;
11, 12, 13, 14 – octahydro – 6 –oxabenzo- ergosta-4,6,8, 22-tetraen-3-one; 4,22-cholestadien-
cyclododecen – 5 - one; bis (2-ethylhexyl) 3-one; cyclopropa-33-norgorgostan-3-ol, 3',6-
phthalate; (2,3-diphenylcyclopropyl)methylphenyl dihydro-(3β,5β,6α,22.xi.,23.xi.); γ-sitostenone and
sulfoxide, (2,3-diphenylcyclopropyl)methylphenyl cholesterol epoxide. The major components noted
sulfoxide; 7-methoxy-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-4H amongst these are n-hexadecanoic acid (37.15%),
– chromen – 4 - one; tetrapentacontane; 1,54- 9-octadecenoic acid, 1, 2, 3-propanetriyl ester
dibromo - 2, 2 – dimethyl – 6 - methylene-1-(3,5- (18.87%), octadecanoic acid (12.56%), γ-
dihydroxy – 1 - pentenyl) cyclohexan - 1- sitostenone(5.88%) and γ-sitosterol (4.13%) 33.
TABLE 1: DISTINGUISHING MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES OF COMMON INDIAN SPECIES OF GENUS LEEA
L. aequata 10, 11, 21 L. compactiflora 22 L. guineensis 23 L. indica 24, 25 L. macrophylla 25 L. rubra 23
Large shrubs, Undershrubs, up to Very variable, erect or Erect shrub or Herbaceous shrub or semi-woody shrub
young branches 3 m tall, branches suberect, evergreen small tree, 2-10 m small tree, 2m tall up to 3 m tall
villous often ribbed shrub or small tree tall, with aerial
growing 5-10 m tall roots
rarely densely hairy,
villose or papillose
Leaves: Leaves: Leaves: Leaves: Leaves: Leaves:
Type: Compound, Type: Compound, Type: 2-3 odd pinnate Type: Type: Simple Type: Compound,
Alternate, unipinnate, rarely compound Compound, Shape: Broadly 2-4 pinnate,
Pinnate, stipulate trifoliate bipinnate to ovate, nearly as alternate,
Shape: Oblong- Shape: Shape: Elliptic to tripinnate, broad as long, lower petiolate stipules as
obovate, leaflets Narrowly winged lanceolate leaflets alternate, spiral, leaves 60 cm long, a narrow wing,
oblong-lanceolate, Apex: Apex: Acuminate stipules purple, upper leaves 15-23 similarly long
cuneate to truncate Acute Base: sheathing cm long Shape:
Apex: Acuminate Base: Cuneate to rounded, less Shape: Apex: Leaflets numerous,
to caudate Sessile, unequal frequently truncate or Obovate-oblong Acute or acuminate ovate to ovate-
Base: Subcordate Margin: Dentate- unequal leaflets ovate to Base: oblong
or rounded, serrate Margin: Undulate lanceolate Petioles 5-12 cm Apex:
petiolate Surface: Glabrous Surface: Apex: long, deeply striated Acute to shortly
Margin: Sharply on both sides, Light green, sometimes Acuminate to Margin: Coarsely acuminate
serrate minutely pubescent with slight red tinges, caudate serrate or sub-lobed Base:
Surface: Pubescent on nerves beneath, but mature to a glossy Base: Surface: Pubescent Rounded to acute
to densely hairy, chartaceous to green, Acute to rounded beneath, main Margin: Crenate
caduceus, subcoriaceous, mature, tiny translucent, Margin: Serrate nerves opposite, to shallowly serrate
membranous, reddish, sparsely globoidpearl glands to dentate very prominent and Surface: Glabrous
hispid with distributed stellate Venation: Nerves 8-10 8-10 pairs, pearl or less frequently
scattered grey hairs pearl glands pairs, often with hairy Surface: glands absent, upper with small hairs
above, hirsute on Venation: domatia, glabrous or Glabrous, leaves light along the nerves,
nerves, rough with Secondary nerves pubescent drying brown yellowish-green, chartaceous, pearl
scattered rounded 8-12 pairs, curved Venation: lower leaves dark glands apparently
brown peltate near the margins Midrib raised green absent from the
glands beneath above; secondary Venation: Lateral leaflets
Venation: Lateral nerves 7-12 pairs; nerves to 14 pairs, Venation:Nerves 5-
nerves 8-12 pairs, tertiary nerves pubescent to hairy 10 pairs, sometimes
slender, arched reticulo- with minute hairs,
percurrent often winged
Inflorescence: Inflorescence: Inflorescence: Terminal Inflorescence: Inflorescence: Inflorescence:
Corymbs, 5- Reddish, glabrous clusters (cymes to 3-5" Corymbose Terminal, much- Rusty pubescent,
Merous Flowers: or minutely wide) cymes branched, generally compact,
Greenish white, pubescent, Flowers: puberculous, bracts deltoid-
calyx lobed peduncle, 4-20 cm Reddish-orange outside Flowers: corymbose cymes, triangular
halfway down, long bracts and and a paler yellowish- Calyx green, up to 30 cm long Flowers:
glabrous to densely bracteoles orange inside, petals cream Flowers: Pentamerous, bright
pubescent, covered inconspicuous Lobes tiny each 1/2" forked near the Greenish white, red with a yellow
with pearl glands Flowers: wide margin, and calyx 5-lobed, central disc,
outside, lobes Red, calyx spreading pubescent, lobes 3- glabrous, shallowly
deeply cleft, ovary glabrous, angled, linear-ovate, retuse or cleft
4-7 loculed corolla tube with greyish-pubescent
staminodial lobes, to papillose
ovary 6-locular

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Fruit: Fruit: Fruit: Fruit: Fruit: Fruit:

Globose-depressed, Berry, 0.5-1 cm 5-15 mm, rounded Berry, depressed, Berry globose, 6-8 Sub-globose berries,
6-7 mm, orange- across, red, bluish purple fruits which globose, 0.7-1 cm cm in diameter, 8-10 mm, dark red
red, black when purple when ripe, ripen to scarlet, seeds 5 across, purple black, 3-6 celled, or purple when ripe;
ripe, seeds 3-6 seeds 4-6 by 4 mm usually 6, black, seeds 4-6 depressed globose, Seeds 6, 7-10 mm
Flowering and Flowering: May- rumination outline Flowering and usually 3-6 lobed wide, rumination
fruiting: July- June Fruiting: simple and endosperm fruiting: Flowering and outline simple and
December August-January simply ruminate July-December fruiting: endosperm simply
Flowers may bloom November- ruminate
throughout the year in December Flowering and
ideal growing fruiting: November-
conditions December

L. guineensis: Quercetin - 3' - sulphate – 3 - O - α- dermatopathies, wounds, inflammation and in

L-rhamnopyranoside, quercetin-3,3'-disulfate and symptoms of diabetes 41. Dried powder of its root
quercetin-3,3',4'-trisulfate, along with kaempferol, with clarified butter is prescribed in the morning as
quercetin, quercitrin, mearnsitrin, gallic acid, and age sustainer 4. The leaves are also used in making
ethyl gallate have been isolated and identified from small flute 42. They are also used as platters 25. The
the leaf 34. root is said to yield a dye 43. L. macrophylla
contains vitamin C that maintains collagen protein
L. asiatica: About 24 compounds have been necessary for the formation of connective tissue in
identified during the phytochemical analysis of L. the skin, ligaments, and bones. It protects thiamine
asiatica, including a phenolic glucoside, seven and riboflavin from oxidation. Thus it plays a vital
triterpenoids, eight flavonoids, two phenolic role in nutrition point of view 4.L. aequeta finds its
glycosides, four diglycosidic compounds, and two use in itching and dyspraxia 24. Its leaves and twigs
miscellaneous compounds 35. have been used as antiseptic to treat wounds 25.
Traditional Uses: The whole plant of Leea indica Ethnic Uses: Ethnopharmacological use of L.
is used traditionally for the treatment of headaches, macrophylla is documented for the urinary problem
body pains, and skin complaints. The root is valued by local tribes of Bihar. The leaves have been used
in diarrhoea, colic, dysentery, and as a sudorific. in goitre, gastric tumor, lipoma, and tetanus. Some
Leaves are consumed for the treatment of cancer, other tribes use the leaf as vegetables 4. Crude
diabetes, and injuries 36. A leaf is roasted and leaves and powder are traditionally used in cancer,
applied to the head in vertigo. The juice of young urolithiasis, wounds, sores, goitre, gastric tumor,
leaves is useful as a digestive. Inflorescence extract tetanus, and urinary disturbances.
is used to cure chest pain in children 28, 36.
Leaf juice is also used as an anti-inflammatory
Leea species including L. asiatica, L. guineensis, L. agent in boils, arthritis, gout, and rheumatism. It is
indica and L. macrophylla are used to treat skin also applied externally to allay pain and to stop the
lesion and wounds. The leaf of L. macrophylla effusion of blood. A leaf is extensively used by the
possesses anodyne property and is applied to Ayurvedic physicians in the preparation of seasonal
wounds and sores. It is also used for guinea worm tonic modaka 44. Also, the dried root powder mixed
and ringworm 37. It is also noted to be traditionally with clarified butter is prescribed in the morning as
used for tonsillitis, tetanus, nephrolithiasis, age sustainer 4, 44. An ethnobotanical survey of this
rheumatism, arthritis, snake bites, sore, pain and plant shows some important therapeutic uses in
blood effusion 38, 39. The plants of L. macrophylla cancer, dysentery, body ache, and sexual disability
possess tikta, katu rasa, sangrahi, vikashiguna, 45
. Besides, L. macrophylla is a non-woody forest
ushnaveerya, madhuravipaka properties and have product used as ethnic food in India 46.
Rasayana karma. L. macrophylla bearing either
unifoliate, trifoliate or 1 to 3 pinnate leaves should Its leaves are eaten as vegetables, and the roots of
be considered as botanical equivalents of classical the plant are cooked as vegetables 25, 47, 48. The
Ayurvedic plant Hastikarna or Hastikarnapalasha fruits are consumed orally in the form of juice and
40
. In Ayurveda, it is indicated in worm infestation, considered very nutritive 47, 49.

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Pharmacological Properties: Several investiga- Anti-inflammatory Activity: Leaves of L. macro-

tions carried out by researchers show that many phylla and L. guineensis have been used to treat
species of Leea genus possess remarkable inflammatory diseases. The methanolic extract of
pharmacological activities, including anticancer, L. macrophylla leaf is noted to inhibit
anti-bacterial, thrombolytic, anti-inflammatory, prostaglandin PGE2, Interleukin IL-6, and cause
anti-urolithiatic, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycaemic reduction of tumor necrosis factor TNF-α.
and many more as described below 24, 25. Furthermore, oral administration of methanol
extract of leaf of L. macrophylla at the doses of 100
Anticancer Activity: Mollic acid arabinoside and 200 mg/kg is reported to exhibit significant
isolated from L. indica is found to trigger induction dose-dependent inhibition of carrageenan-induced
of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in Ca-Ski inflammation and reduction of the granuloma tissue
human cervical cancer cells 28. L. macrophylla also formation 53. L. guineensis leaf is reported to
showed cytotoxic effects in a study using brine possess anti-oedematogenic activity in carrageenan-
shrimp lethality bioassay. The lethal concentration induced rat paw oedema assay 54.
(LC50 values) of the ethanolic extract, as well as
carbon tetrachloride, chloroform and ethyl acetate The methanolic extract of L. indica roots (at 200
soluble fractions of roots, were found to be 2.39, and 400 mg/kg doses) is shown to exert significant
0.049, 4.53, and 0.09 μg/ml, respectively, which anti-inflammatory activity in dinitrobenzene
were comparable to the standard vincristine sulfonic acid (DNBS)-induced Intestinal Bowel
sulphate who’s LC50 was 0.34 μg/ml 50. Disease (IBD) in animal experimental models when
compared with standard sulfasalazine (360 mg/kg)
Anti-diarrheal Activity: The methanolic extract of 55
.
leaf of L. indica is shown to possess anti-diarrhoeal
activity in castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice 51. Antimicrobial Activity: The essential oil obtained
from flowers and the ethanolic extract obtained
Anti-hyperglycaemic Activity: The alcoholic and from leaf of L. indica showed significant activity
hydroalcoholic extracts of L. indica leaf revealed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.
hypoglycemic activity by significantly reducing It was observed that the extract inhibits Gram-
blood glucose level in a study using glucose positive bacteria more as compared to Gram-
tolerance test and alloxan-induced diabetes model negative bacteria as indicated by the lowest
in rats 52. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC value).
Essential oil of L. indica is also reported to be
The methanolic extract of L. macrophylla leaf also effective in inhibiting moulds like Aspergillus niger
exhibits significant effects in ameliorating the and Penicillium spp 27. The ethanolic extract of L.
diabetic markers such as insulin and other diabetic- indica leaf also inhibits the growth of Aspergillus
related markers, especially LDL, HDL, LDH, flavus and Candida albicans 51, 56.
creatinine, uric acid and CK-MB, in fructose-fed
L. macrophylla extract, and its successive fraction
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes 44.
from root tubers have also been shown to have
In another study, L. macrophylla root extract is more pronounced effect in the case of Gram-
reported to upregulate the mRNA expression for positive bacteria as compared with Gram-negative
antioxidative enzymes and to repair the necrosis of strains. Crude extract of L. macrophylla leaf has
pancreatic β-cell and kidney tissues in fructose-fed displayed mild to moderate antimicrobial activity
STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats at the doses of 50, against Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, and other
100, and 200 mg/kg. Conversely, the glucose test organisms, including Escherichia coli,
tolerance ability, liver glycogen level, serum Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella paratyphi,
insulin, organ weight, and pancreatic morphology Shigella dysenteriae, and Shigella sonnei, along
are shown to be improved significantly along with with strong antifungal activity against
the diameter of the islet of Langerhans (µm), area Pityrosporum ovale, Trichophyton spp., Candida
occupied by β-cell/islet of Langerhans (µm2) and a albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and
number of β-cells/islet of Langerhans 33. Microsporum spp. The ethyl acetate extract of seed

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is noted to be strongly effective against S. aureus as pancreas protecting effect of the plant that is
compared to n-hexane, chloroform, and methanol mediated through an antioxidant dependent event
extracts 41. The ethanolic extract of the root is 44
. Quercetin - 3'- sulphate – 3 – O – α – L –
demonstrated to be highly effective against S. rhamno-pyranoside, quercetin-3,3'-disulphate, and
aureus, S. flexneri, and S. boydii, whereas less a new flavonoid sulphate, quercetin-3,3',4'-
effective against S. typhi and Klebsiella pneumonia. trisulphate, together with kaempferol, quercetin,
The depicted MIC values ranged from 0.195 to quercitrin, mearnsitrin, gallic acid, and ethyl gallate
3.125 mg/ml 57. isolated from the leaf of L. guineensis are recorded
to show antioxidant effect on DPPH free radical
Antinociceptive Activity: L. indica and L. scavenging assay 34.
macrophylla leaves have been assessed for their
analgesic effect. Both plants are reported to exhibit Antiurolithiatic Activity: Administration of the
central and peripheral analgesic effects in mice. ethanolic extract of the whole plant of L.
The ethanolic extract of L. indica has been shown macrophylla (500 mg/kg orally) to rats for 14 days
to exert analgesic activity in acetic acid-induced is reported to significantly reduce as well as
writhing test and formalin-induced licking test 58. prevent the growth of kidney stones and improve
In acetic acid-induced writhing test, the ethanolic the renal impairment in the ethylene glycol-induced
root extract at the dose of 200 mg/kg reduced the urolithiasis model in rats 37, 57.
number of writhes significantly with 62.37% of
inhibition. It has been noted that the methanol Antiviral Activity: The essential oil of L .indica is
extract of leaf L. macrophylla in the oral dose of shown to exhibit antiviral activity against Herpes
100 and 200 mg/kg exhibits significant central and simplex virus. The extract is also reported to be
peripheral analgesic activity in hot-plate test and ineffective against vesicular stomatitis virus 63.
acetic acid-induced writhing test in experimental
Cardiotonic Activity: It is reported that with the
mice 50.
increasing dose of L. macrophylla aqueous and
Antioxidant Activity: The leaf extracts of Leea alcoholic extracts from 0.1 ml to 0.4 ml, a
species are reported to possess antioxidant potential significant increase in the force of contraction
using different assays that measure free radical (positive inotropic effect) and the heart rate
scavenging activity, such as 2,2-diphenyl-2- (positive chronotropic effect) is observed 64.
picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) radical scavenging
Enzyme Inhibitory Activity: The plant of L.
activity, ferric thiocyanate (FTC), superoxide
indica is shown to possess inhibitory activity
dismutase (SOD), and lipid peroxidation assay, the
against enzymes such as phosphodiesterase,
activity is attributed to the presence of secondary
pancreatic lipase, and glucosidase. The methanolic
metabolites like gallic acid and quercetin 59. The
extract of L. indica leaf is also observed to be
methanolic extract of L. indica is shown to exhibit
effective in inhibiting the activity of lipase by
scavenging activity against DPPH radicals. The
48.5% against porcine pancreatic lipase 65.
crude ethanol extract, along with hexane, ethyl
acetate, and aqueous fractions of ethanol extract Hepatoprotective Activity: Different extracts of L.
obtained from the leaf of L. indica have been macrophylla are also reported to possess significant
demonstrated to display antioxidant activity hepatoprotective effect in a study, which
through DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide demonstrated that most of the extracts except
radical scavenging, and reducing power assays 60. methanol extract (200 mg/kg) helps in normalizing
In-vitro studies of different fractions L. the serum creatine kinase (CK-MB) level in hepatic
macrophylla leaf have also shown strong free damage, but the ethyl acetate extract (200 mg/kg)
radical scavenging ability due to the presence of and chloroform extract (100 mg/kg) restore the
phenolics 34, 61, 62. In an experimental study, serum CK-MB level 62. Aqueous extract of L.
administration of the L. macrophylla root to the guineensis seed is found to protect the liver against
STZ-induced diabetes animals has been shown to dichlorovos-induced toxicity in rats. The ethanolic
upregulate the expression profile of genes extract of L. indica stem bark has been shown to
responsible for antioxidant enzymes suggesting the

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have a protective effect against paracetamol- activity in an in vitro clot lysis assay, where it
induced hepatotoxicity in rats 66. produced 39.3% of clot lysis activity 69. According
to another study, the crude extract of L.
Hypolipidemic Activity: In an experimental study, macrophylla is observed to exhibit 20.61% clot
the administration of alcoholic and hydro-alcoholic lysis compared to the standard streptokinase
extracts of L. indica leaf is shown to significantly (81.53%) in the anti-atherothrombosis assay 57. The
decrease the levels of triglycerides, total whole plant extract of L. macrophylla is also shown
cholesterol, LDL and VLDL and increase HDL in to have the highest clot lysis activity (47.47%) as
rats, indicating hypolipidemic activity of the leaf compared to the extracts of other plants like
extract 52. Ocimum tenuiflorum, Andrographis paniculata,
Adhatoda vasica and Litsea glutinosa 70.
Nephroprotective Activity: The leaf of L. asiatica
has been proven to afford protection in cisplatin- Wound-healing Activity: In an experimental study
induced nephrotoxicity in mice. Among the using the incision model, L. macrophylla has
methanol, ethyl acetate and petroleum ether shown complete wound contraction in 20 days with
extracts of the L. asiatica leaf that were evaluated topical application, whereas 22 days by oral
for in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant activities, the treatment. This effect has been attributed to
methanol extract is shown to exhibit better increased collagen synthesis and reduced
antioxidant effects. The effect is attributed to inflammation through effects on proinflammatory
higher amounts of phenolics (77.75 ± 0.87 mg cytokines and vascular endothelial growth factor
Gallic acid equivalent/g of dry material) and (VEGF), enhanced cellular proliferation as well as
flavanoids (60.98 ± 0.58 mg Quercetin potential antioxidant and free radical scavenging
Equivalent/g of dry material). effects, probably mediated due to the presence of
polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid in the extract
The extended study with fractions of the 32
.
methanolic extract obtained using methanol, ethyl
acetate, petroleum ether against cisplatin (20 CONCLUSION: The genus Leea consists of many
mg/kg, i.p.)-induced nephrotoxicity has revealed medicinally important species found to be growing
that pretreatment with methanol extract (150 and throughout the world. There is a lack of knowledge
300 mg/kg) and its fractions especially methanol on some species within the genus that provides a
and ethyl acetate fraction (at 75 and 150 mg/kg, huge opportunity for future research. However, the
respectively) significantly reduces blood urea scientific exploration of various plant species
nitrogen, serum creatinine, uric acid and among this genus has proven the therapeutic
malondialdehyde levels along with increased total importance of this genus with a variety of
protein and albumin levels. Ethyl acetate fraction is pharmacological actions that are attributed to a
indicated to produce highest nephroprotective wide range of phytochemicals occurring in the
activity, possibly by inhibiting lipid peroxidation species. This review acknowledges a few species
process 67. out of the 36 species of Leea genus that are found
around the world with keen stress on important
Neuroprotective Activity: The methanol extract of
species found in India.
the root of L. macrophylla (100 and 200 mg/kg) is
reported to reduce locomotor activity and increase ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The authors wish to
the duration of sleeping of animals. thank L. M. College of Pharmacy, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, for providing necessary facilities and
The extract is also shown to reduce the content of
access to online resources for the literature survey
malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and advanced
done to gather comprehensive information for the
oxidation protein product and increase the activities
review article.
of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione
peroxidase in hippo-campus 68. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST: The authors
declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Thrombolytic Activity: The ethanol extract of L.
indica leaf has been reported to have thrombolytic

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How to cite this article:
Nehru A, Shah Y, Sharma J, Shah Y, Thummar P, Verma P and Shah M: A comprehensive review on the genus Leea (Family Leeaceae)
with special emphasis on the Indian species. Int J Pharm Sci & Res 2021; 12(5): 2559-69. doi: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.12(5).2559-69.
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