Polyscias scutellaria (Shield Aralia) is an indigenous plant of the Araliaceae family. The Araliaceae family
includes a number of beneficial medicinal species as well as ornamental plants for the garden. More than
1,500 plant species present in the Araliaceae family, and this is made up of more than 55 genera and includes
species of Aralia, Eleutherococcus, and Panax, are used as traditional Chinese medicines. Polyscias
scutellaria is found in the islands of the Pacific Ocean, especially New Guinea and its surrounding islands,
India, Central America, and Africa. Reports state that the plant has been traditionally used to treat breast
discomfort, wounds, urinary tract infections, and body odour. Further, Indonesians have long used the plant
to improve breast milk production in lactating mothers. Around 97 chemical compounds from various
chemical classes were isolated from Polyscias species, with saponins serving as the primary component and
exhibiting anti-inflammatory, anti-toxin, antiviral, anti-dysenteric, anti-neurogenic, anti-rheumatic, and
diuretic properties. The phytoconstituents present in Polyscias scutellaria include flavonoids, saponins, and
glycosides reported with antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and antifungal properties and also effective
in prolactin secretion and metabolic syndromes. The present review summarizes the botanical,
phytochemical, and pharmacological studies reported in Polyscias scutellaria and its ethnobotanical and
nutritional values.
Keywords: Araliaceae, Ethnobotanical, Mangkokan, Polyscias scutellaria, Shield Aralia
Publication date: 01/08/2024
https://ijbpas.com/pdf/2024/August/MS_IJBPAS_2024_8239.pdf
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https://doi.org/10.31032/IJBPAS/2024/13.8.8239
