A Pharmaceutically and Therapeutically Important Genus: Sesbania Adans.

Sesbania Adanson is a genus belonging to the family Leguminosae and is the only genus found in tribe Robinieae of the subfamily Papilionoideae. The genus Sesbania is widely distributed in tropical Southeast Asian countries and Africa. Members of this genus are known for their extremely fast growing rates as well as a very high affinity for association with nitrogen-fixing Rhizobia in the soil. Various species of Sesbania genus are reported to be rich in phytoconstituents such as tannins, triterpenoids, steroids, saponin glycosides, alkaloids, carbohydrates, vitamins, amino acids and proteins, possessing different pharmacological activities. The species of Sesbania are highly appreciated for their medicinal potential in advancing. Since long, they have been used to treat almost 20 different types of human diseases and also as veterinary medicine. Diverse pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-fertility, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective and anti-ulcer activities have been renowned for different species of the genus. Besides, the genus is also known to provide a variety of commercial products such as forage, firewood, gum, ornaments, green manure, pulp and paper. Through a massive literature survey of traditional and Ayurvedic books along with scientific resources, all the essential information regarding modern studies and the traditional aspects the genus was gathered. Hence, this review is an attempt to provide comprehensive information on Sesbania genus that includes its characteristic pharmacognostical features, traditional and ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]