Paronychia argentea: A Critical Comprehensive Review on its Diverse Medicinal Potential and Future as Therapeutics

Background: Paronychia argentea has been used since long as a traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes, kidney stones, anti-microbial and many other human diseases. However, the plant has not been explored much. In the present scenario of drug resistance and toxicity associated with available drugs, there is a need for elaborated studies of plants like Paronychia argeneta which had been used as folk medicines. Aim and Objectives: The present article is focused on reviewing the ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, traditional usage, biological activities, of Paronychia argentea which has been used in traditional medicinal system for ages. The aim of the study was to assess the ethnopharmacological usage of this plant and to explore therapeutic potentials and future opportunities for research. Materials and Methods: Information on the traditional usage and studies of the Paronychia argentea was gathered from from various journals, MSc dissertation, conference abstract, local books. Various search engines including Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, Elsevier, ACS, Pubmed, Web of Science, CNKI and EMBASE were used to collect the information along with libraries. Results: Paronychia argentea has played an important role in traditional medicines in Algeria, Portugal, Israel and Jordan. The aerial parts of this plant are used as diuretics in Algerian traditional medicines and are used as antiurolithiasis. Leaf decoction of this plant is also used as diuretic. Paronychia argentea has been used as analgesic, treatment of stomach ulcer, anorexia, and flatulence in Portugal. Scientific studies on extracts of Paronychia revealed a wide range of pharmacological activities including anti-microbial activity, anti-oxidant, nephroprotective activity. Moreover, few reports have given contradictory data for usage of Paronychia when compared with its traditional usage. As in the case of alpha-amylase inhibitory efficacy of PA, it was observed that PA inhibits alpha-amylase activity but later on it was proven that PA does not have a hypoglycemic effect. Main bioactive metabolites present in this plant include alkaloids, flavonoids, volatile oils, etc. Conclusions: Based on this review, there are evidences from various studies regarding pharmacological effects of this plant as nephroprotective, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial activity. Some indications from in vitro studies have confirmed the inhibitory activity of this plant extract against alpha amylase enzyme. The available literature showed that most of the activities of the Paronychia can be accredited to the flavonoids present in them. Data regarding mechanisms of action of this plant along with pharmacokinetics, toxicology studies is still limited, which indicate the need of such studies for the clinical usage of this plant.