The Journal of Phytopharmacology 2025; 14(4):247-257 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2025.14404
Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey - An important medicinal plant: A review on taxonomy, ethnobotany, and pharmacological prospects
1. Senior Research Fellow, Department of Botany, Panjab University Chandigarh, Chandigarh- 160014, Chandigarh, India
2. Professor, Department of Botany, Panjab University Chandigarh, Chandigarh- 160014, Chandigarh, India
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 21st July, 2025 / Accepted: 27th August, 2025 / Published : 30th September, 2025
Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey is a medicinal plant of significant ethnopharmacological relevance, especially in rural healthcare systems of India, where it is traditionally recognized as the botanical source of the Ayurvedic fertility drug “Shivlingi.” In addition to its use in treating infertility, the plant is also employed in folk medicine for managing inflammation, obesity, snakebite, malaria, and various skin disorders. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the taxonomy, vernacular nomenclature, distribution, morphology, anatomy, phytochemistry, and therapeutic potential of D. palmatus, supported by both field-based observations and literature analysis. A particular focus is given to the recurring taxonomic confusion in the literature, where multiple and sometimes erroneous scientific names have been used, leading to misidentification and challenges in consistent communication among researchers. Field surveys confirm the perennial nature of the plant, which contradicts some earlier classifications. Various bioactive compounds and pharmacological properties have been reported, substantiating several of its traditional uses. However, while preliminary studies support many ethnomedicinal claims, further targeted research, particularly into its application for fertility enhancement, is needed to validate its efficacy through experimental and clinical investigations.
Diplocyclos palmatus, Shivlingi, Ethnomedicinal, Erroneous
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Thakur N, Puri R. Diplocyclos palmatus (L.) C. Jeffrey - An important medicinal plant: A review on taxonomy, ethnobotany, and pharmacological prospects. J Phytopharmacol 2025; 14(4):247-257. doi: 10.31254/phyto.2025.14404
Creative Commons (CC) License-
This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. This license permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Copyright
Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0.