Abstract

TEPHROSIA PURPUREA (L.) PERS.: ETHNOMEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGICAL EVIDENCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND TRANSLATIONAL CHALLENGES: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Akansha Singh*, Dr. Pushpendra Kannojia

Abstract

Tephrosia purpurea (L.) Pers. (Fabaceae), commonly known as Sarapunkha or Sharpunkha, is a medicinal herb used in several South Asian traditional systems. The supplied literature describes a broad range of ethnomedicinal applications and reports experimental investigations of antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, antiulcer, anthelmintic, antiplasmodial and antiproliferative effects. Phytochemical investigations have reported flavonoids and prenylated flavonoids, isoflavones, rotenoids, triterpenoids, saponins, sterols and other constituents. Analytical studies using HPTLC, HPLC-PDA, UV-visible spectroscopy, FTIR and GC-HRMS have begun to address identification and chemical variability, including seasonal variation in selected markers. The evidence base is nevertheless heterogeneous: studies use different plant parts, extraction solvents, models, doses and endpoints, while much of the pharmacological evidence remains preclinical. Of particular importance, rotenone has been reported in the plant and its concentration varies with season and extract; this raises a material safety and standardisation issue that should be addressed rather than assuming that a botanical origin guarantees safety. This narrative review organises the supplied literature by traditional use, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, analytical quality control and research gaps. The findings support further systematic investigation but do not establish clinical efficacy or safety in humans. Standardised botanical material, validated multi-marker assays, toxicological characterisation, reproducible pharmacology and appropriately designed clinical studies are priorities for translation.

Keywords: Tephrosia purpurea; Sarapunkha; ethnomedicine; phytochemistry; pharmacological activity; quality control; rotenone; herbal standardization