In the recent years synthetic drugs have been widely replaced with herbal medicines and plant extracts because of their little undesirable and extensive beneficial effects. Plantago majorL. (also known as plantain and way bread) is a member of the Plantaginaceae family. Leaves and seeds of the plant have been widely used in folk medicine for  various purposes, including  treatment  of  an  extensive  range  of diseases and disorders  such as respiratory complications and digestive system affections. It has been also used in wound healing and as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumor agent. Moreover, plantain contains ingredients which can neutralize internal and external poisons. Recent studies have also shown its anti-fatigue properties. Phytochemical analysis of P. major extract has indicated that this plant contains a wide range of chemicals such as polysaccharides, lipids  (saturated  and  non-saturated),  amino  acids  (essential  and  non-essential),  caffeic  acid  derivatives, flavonoids,  iridoidglycosides  and  terpenoids,  which  have  the  potential  to  exert  different  biological  effects. Phenols (ferulic acid), flavonoids and tannins have the highest amount in Plantagoleaves. The present review describes the traditional uses and recent findings(Since 2000  till date) about the  pharmacological effects  of Plantago major L.

Plantago major L., Plantain, Ferulic acid, Plantaginaceae, Wound healing

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