An Insight into Endangered Himalayan Paeony (Paeonia emodi royle): Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Paeonia emodi Royle is an endangered herb native to Himalayan region with diverse traditional therapeutic uses. It is categorized as critically endangered plant species. Traditionally plant parts are used for nervous diseases, uterine diseases, dysentery, colic, backache, hypertension, and piles. The medicinal activity is the result of presence of various important phytochemicals triterpenes, monoterpenes, phenolics, lipooxygenases, Nortriprenoids, steroids and aldehydes. P. emodi has many biological activities including antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-toxicity, and spasmolytic activity. Due to remarkable medicinal potential, this species is facing extremely high risk of extinction. This article briefly reviews botanical, medicinal, phytochemical, pharmacological and molecular attributes of this plant species along with its conservation strategies.