A Retrospective Study on Gloriosa superba and Its Main Active Constituents

Gloriosa superba: L. (G. superba) is a perennial creeper and climbs up to 5-7 meters. It belongs to the Liliaceae family and is native to Africa and South-East Asia. It is also categorized as an endangered plant which may be due to its extensive use. Objective: The objective of the present review is to explore anticancer potential with other pharmacological activities of G. superba and its active constituents. G. superba has been reported to have many chemical constituents including colchicine, β- sitosterol, glumicolchicine, b-lumicolchicine, 2-OH-6-MeO-benzoic acid, glorisine, tannins, colchicoside, cornigerine, and many more. Most of them are effective against cancer, gout, arthritis, ulcers, bleeding piles, impotence, snakebites, skin diseases, and leprosy. G. superba has also been reported to possess pharmacological activities like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, abortifacient, anti-ulcerogenic, anti-helminthic and antimicrobial. The present review summarizes the anticancer potential of G. superba and its constituents. However, a detailed study is required to establish it as an effective anticancer drug.