INTRODUCTION:

Cleome gynandra is used as a medicinal plant, it grows a weed in paddy fields and also in road sides and open grass lands. In India it is never cultivated but grows spontaneously everywhere. This article briefly reviews the botany, pharmacology, biochemistry, folkloric, laboratory, reaserches and papers. WSF plant described in Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia of India, Ayurvedic medicine it a chief constituent in Narayana Churna. Ayurveda it is used in Anthelmentic, in ear diseases, pruritis, gastro intestinal disorders and gastrointestinal infections etc¹. Cleome gynandra plant occurring throughout the tropics and subtropics of Africa. In South Africa, it is found in agricultural land and near human settlements.

It is less common in areas with highly humid climate. The leaves are alternate, palmately compound, held by a long petiole. The white to rose corolla consists of 4 spatulate petals, very slender at the base and all arranged on their back². Spider plant has also been used as traditional medicine to heal a range of ailments in different communities which include food poisoning, rheumatism, inflammation, toothache, headache, bacterial infections, snake bites. These uses as traditional medicine hint at secondary plant metabolites that are health beneficial³. In Thailand and Malaysia, the leaves are a popular food item fermented with rice water as a pickle known as phaksian dong. The same pickle is also eaten in the northern states of Malaysia and is known as jerukmaman⁴. Cleome gynandra plant grows up to 250-600mm tall.

Global Nutrition Report:

According to the United Nations in 2019, the world's population was about 7.7billion in the middle of that year and is expected to grow to around 8.5billion by 2030. The world is dealing with two big nutrition problems at the same time: undernutrition, which includes being too thin, stunted growth, and being underweight, and overnutrition, which means being too heavy or obese.

Fig: 1 Cleome gyanendra plant

In 2021, the Global Nutrition Report said that around 149.2 million children under five were stunted, 45.4 million were wasted, and 38.9 million were overweight. About 2.2 billion people, or 40% of both men and women, are either obese or overweight. In 2024, the Global Nutrition Report estimated that 35 million children under five were overweight. Overweight used to be a problem mainly in wealthier countries, but it's now increasing in poorer and middle-income countries too. In Africa, the number of overweight children under five has gone up by nearly 12.1% since 2000. Almost half of the children under five who were overweight or had obesity in 2024 lived in Asia.

Taxonomy²

Table 1. The genus Cleome was first described by Linnaeus in Species Plantarum in 1753.

Species	*Cleome gynandra* L
Kingdom	Plantae
Genus	Cleome
Sub Genus	Gynandropsis
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Brassicales
Family	Cleomaceae
Phylum	Spermatophyta
Division	Magnoliophyte
Order	Capparales
Sub family	Capparaceae
Sub class	Magnoliatae

One of the reasons we carried out this review was the recent questioning of the monophyly of Capparaceae. There are two perspectives or scenarios regarding the taxonomy of C. gynandra under the genus Cleome. The first perspective reported that Cleome belongs to the family Cleomaceae⁵_.

Chemical Constituents of Cleome:

The isolation of oleic acid, linolic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid and a phytosterul from seeds oil of Cleome pentaphylla Linn (1937 by Ram Nath Misra and Sikhibhushan Dutt) The root consists of two glyco-flavonones as narringenin-4-galactoside-1 and dihydrokaemferol-4f-galactoside-2 (Chauhan and et.al.) Identification of a new glycoside-7, 3r-4-trihydroxyflavonone-5-0-a-Lrhamnopyranoside-3 were reported from the whole plant of Cleome viscosa (by S.K. Srivastava and co-workers 1979) Continuing their studies same workers in the same year reported the isolation of a new glyco side Naringenin Takayuki Suga et.al. reported the Cleome prenols isolated from Cleome spinosa L. S.B. Mahota and co-workers in 1979 reported the isolation of a novel diterpene lactone Cleomeolide -6 from Cleome icosandra Linn (syn Cleome viscosa Linn). From Cleome viscosa, S.K. Srivastava reported in 1980, the isolation of a new saponin identified as stigma-5, 24-(28) - diene-3B-0-a-Lrhamnoside-7. In 1982 a Coumarinolignoid (Cleomiscosin-B) was isolated from Cleome viscosa seeds (by Anil L. Ray and S.K.Chattopadhyaya. In 1984reported the isolation of kaempferol and luteolin-7-O-Glucoside by M.M. Seif ElN asret.al.Some studies have been conducted to investigate the nutritional composition of the raw leaves of Cleome gynandra.

The plant’s nutritional value may vary with soil fertility, environment, plant type, plant age and the production techniques used (Chweya 1995)⁶_.

Table 2: Summarizes the findings of these studies to date.

Source	Year
Gomez	1981
Sreeramulu	1982
Mathooke and imungi	1994
Arnold et al.	1985
Malaise and parent	1985
Waithaka and chweya	1991
Mathooko and imungi	1994
Chweya	1995
Opole et al	1995
Sebit	1995

Account for about 81% of total fatty acids, but linoleic acid is the most abundant (accounting for 59% of total fatty acids). Lipids have a high degree of unsaturation, as is shown by the high iodine and saponification numbers (123 and 192, respectively). Cultigens exhibit slight variation in the proportion of fatty acids and generally have lower stearic than palmitic acid contents. The leaves contain some amount of Palmitic acid, Palmitoleic acid, Stearic acid, Oleic acid, Linoleic acid, Arachidic acid, Eicosenoic acid, alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, terpenes, saponins, and tannins. It also has glucosinolates, anthocyanins, phenolic acids, and cardiac glycosides.

The composition is comparable to that of leguminous oilseeds contains: Glutamic, Arginine, Aspartic, Leucine, Valine, Glycine, Proline, Phenylalanine, Isoleucine, Threonine, Alanine, Serine, Lysine, Tyrosine, Histidine.⁷_.

Use In All Over The World:⁸

The vegetable is important as a leafy vegetable in the following African countries: Nigeria, Zaire, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda and Kenya. In India, it is eaten as a pot herb and flavouring in sauces and in Thailand it is consumed fermented in a product called ‘pak-sian-dong’ (FAO 1990). Indigenous knowledge possessed by rural women in Kenya indicates that C.gynandra has several nutritional uses (Opole et al. 1995). Leaves may be crushed to make a concoction that is drunk to cure diseases such as scurvy. It is believed that regular consumption of the leaves by pregnant women will ease childbirth by reducing the length of their labour, and will help them regain normal health more quickly afterwards. In some communities, consumption of the vegetable by pregnant women is almost mandatory. They are used as bird food. The seed cake has an excellent acid spectrum and can therefore be utilized in animal feeds.

Medicine:^9.10

The leaves and seeds of cat’s whiskers are used in indigenous medicine in many countries. (Purseglove 1943; Anonymous 1956a, 1956b; Kokwaro 1976; Baruah and Sarma 1984; Kumar and Sadique 1987; Opole et al. 1995). The following uses have been reported.

*Sap from leaves may be used as an analgesic, particularly for headaches.

*Sap from pounded young leaves is squeezed into ears, nostrils and eyes to treat Epileptic fits and earache.

*A decoction or infusion of boiled leaves and/or roots is administered to: - facilitate childbirth in pregnant women

· Treat stomach-ache and constipation

· Treat conjunctivitis

· Treat severe thread-worm infection

· Relieve chest pains.

* Arthritis is treated with the leaves. is treated with the leaves.

* The leaves have anti-inflammatory properties leaves have anti-inflammatory properties

· Laboratory experimental trials on animal models, conducted by different laboratories and authors:

Vernaculars:

Vernacular Names in India ⁸:

1. Sanskrit: Pasugandhi, Ajagandha

2. Assam: Bhutmulla

3. Bengali: Hurhuria, Shulte

4. English: Dog Mustard

5. Gujarat: Talvani, Dhelitalavan

6. Hindi: Hulhul, Hurhur, Kavalia

7. Kannada: Naram bele Soppu, Nayeetulasi

8. Kashmiri: Gandi Buti

9. Malayalam: Atunari vela

10. Marathi: Tilvan, Bhatvan, Mabli, Tilavana,

11. Tilvant

12. Oriya: Anasorisia, anasorisa, Hulhulia

13. Punjabi: Bugra

14. Tamil: Nal valai, Nal velai

15. Telugu: Vaminta, Vayinta

Therapeutic Uses (Ayurvedic):¹¹

Gulma (Any tumour, lump or diverticulosis)

Asthila (Prostate enlargement)

Krmiroga (Worm infection)

Kandu (Pruritus)

Karnaroga (Ear diseases)

Review of Phytochemistry:

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the powdered leaf revealed the following compounds –Carotenoids, Cardiac glycosides, Cyanogenic Glycosides, Flavonoids, Saponins, Triterpenes, sugars, Tannins etc¹²_.

MORPHOLOGY:

C. gynandra leaf germplasm accessions grown in Africa and Asia are morphologically highly diverse as compared to the ones in New World (Iltis, 1960). Cleome gynandra is reported to be related to C. hirta, C. rutidosperma and C. monophylla; the latter are relatively less important Cleome species and are also used only sparingly as vegetables¹³_.

The species Cleome hirta, Cleome rutidosperma and C. monophylla are much smaller and are time consuming to harvest.

· Cleome rutidosperma up to 50 cm tall (erect annual herb)

· Cleome viscosa has reaches about 1 m tall (yellowish glandular hairs on stems)

· In different studies are briefly summarized below.

Mature plant:^14,15

C. gynandra L. is an herbaceous, erect, and height ranging from 0.5 m to 1.5 m, at maturity, depending on the growing environment. They are wet soils the plant can grow throughout the year.

• Roots: C. gynandra L. has a long tap root and they with root hairs and has few secondary roots. The preliminary observation conducted in Arusha, Tanzania at the World Vegetable Center, Eastern and Southern Africa. the tap root of some plants measured 60 cm long.

• Leaves:

Leaves are palmately compound, with 3-5 leaflets. The leaf stalk is 20-50 mm long with glandular hairs. The leaflets radiate from the tip of the leaf stalk, are 20-100 x 8-40 mm, smooth or with glands, and taper toward the base; on the under surface, are smooth to finely glandular, and often with scattered multi cellular hairs on the main nerves.

• Inflorescence:

The inflorescence is a terminal raceme, many-flowered, elongating in fruit; the bract is 3-foliolate to simple above, resembling the leaves but smaller and sessile. The flower stalk is 10-20 mm long with glandular hairs. Petals are white, sometimes fading to rose pink, 10-20 x 3-5 mm, rounded at the apex, abruptly narrowed to a basal claw.

• Flowers: bisexual, bracteate, white or tinged with purple

• Fruits:

The fruits are in capsule form. The capsule is linear, sub-erect to spreading, 30-150 x 2.5-5 mm; the persistent style is 2 mm long and the valve is thin-textured, glandular with hairs. The seeds are brown, circular in outline, 1.5 mm in diameter, with an obscurely netted surface.¹⁶

Figure 1. C. gynandra stem and petiole colour variation; A – purple stem and petiole, B – green stem and petiole

Fig 2. Leaves, roots, flower

Cultivation of cleome gynandra plant:

To cultivate Cleome gynandra, sow small seeds directly into well-drained, organic-rich soil in a sunny location, planting them about 1/4 inch deep and 1 foot apart. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, as it is prone to fungal issues in overly wet conditions. Harvest the young, tender leaves and shoots before full flowering for continued growth, and consider staking taller plants to prevent them from falling over.

1. Site and Soil Preparation:

Sunlight: Choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Soil: Prepare well-drained soil rich in organic matter, such as compost or aged manure, to promote healthy growth and flowering.

2. Sowing Seeds:

Direct Sow: Plant seeds directly in the garden about 1/4 inch deep.

Spacing: Space seeds or seedlings at least 1 foot apart to provide ample room for growth.

Germination: Seeds typically germinate in 7 to 14 days.

3. Watering:

Consistency: Water deeply once a week or twice a week during dry periods.

Avoid Overwatering: Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to seed rot or fungal problems.

4. Plant Care:

Support: As the plants grow tall, they may require staking to prevent them from falling over.

Pest Control: Monitor for pests like aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Hand-picking, soap sprays, or intercropping with garlic can help manage them.

5. Harvesting:

Timing: Harvest the young, tender leaves and shoots when the plant is about 6-8 inches tall.

Encourage Growth: regular harvesting, leaving at least three branches, encourages the plant to produce new shoots.

6. Seed Production:

If you want to save seeds, allow some flowers to bloom fully and produce seed pods, which should be collected when they turn brown and dry.

Nutritional value:

Energy (Kcal) KJ	(43) 180
Water (g)	85
Protein (g)	4.80
Fat (g)	0.80
Carbohydrates (g)	2.10
Dietary fiber (g)	4.30
Ash (g)	3
Ca (mg)	189
Fe (mg)	2.60
Mg (mg)	48
P (mg)	49
K (mg)	478
Na (mg)	19
Zn (mg)	0.76
Vit A- RAE (mcg)	217
B-carotene (mcg)	2603
Vit (mg)	64

APPLICATION OF CLEOME GYNANDRA PLANT WITH THEIR MECHANISM OF ACTION:

1. Anti-inflammatory activity of stems of gynandrops is pentaphylla Linn:^16,17

The thermal stimuli in hot plate test and the writhing response of the animals to an intraperitoneal injection of noxious chemicals are used to screen both peripherally and centrally acting analgesic activity. Acetic acid causes analgesia by liberating endogenous substances that excite the pain nerve endings. From the results, it is apparent that the AEGP (Aqueous Extract of Gynandropsis pentaphylla) showed a significant antinociceptive effect in the hotplate test and writing response, which is comparable to that of the standard. Studies demonstrate that various flavonoids such as rutin, quercetin, luteolin, hesperidin and flavonoids produced significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. The Flavonoids and tannins in AEGP are reported to inhibit PG synthesis.

2. Anticancer activity of Cleome gynandra on Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma treated mice:¹⁸

Anticancer activity of methanol extract of Cleome gynandra (MECG) was evaluated in Swiss albino mice against Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cell line at the doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally. MECG showed significant decrease in tumor volume, viable cell count, tumor weight and elevated the life span of EAC tumor bearing mice. Hematological profile such as RBC, hemoglobin, WBC and lymphocyte count reverted to normal level in MECG treated mice. From this result it is obvious that the extract has potent dose dependent anticancer activity.

3. Immunomodulatory effects of Cleome gynandra:¹⁹

Antibody molecules, a product of B lymphocytes and plasma cells, are central to humoral immune responses; IgG and IgM are the major immunoglobulin which are involved in the complement activation, opsonisation and neutralization of toxins etc. Ethanolic extract treated and aqueous extracts of Cleome gynandra statistically significantly decreases the level of serum IgG in comparisons to the level of IgG before the immunization in the trial in rat model. IgG and IgM levels are influenced by both aqueous extract and ethanolic extract but to the different magnitude at different dose levels. Amongst the extracts tested ethanolic extract showed better activity even with lower doses. The overall pharmacological investigations conclusively demonstrate immunosuppressant activity in the ethanolic extracts and the aqueous extract of Cleome gynandra Linn.Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) involves effector mechanisms carried out by T lymphocytes and their products (lymphokines). CMI responses are critical to defence against infectious organisms, infection of foreign grafts, tumour immunity and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions (DTH).

CONCLUSION:

In summary, the paper shows there are many opportunities to study the anti-inflammatory effects of C. gynandra. Even though this plant has not received much attention, it shows a lot of potential that needs more research to fully understand and use its healing benefits. More research should focus on finding the specific nutrients and medicines in C. gynandra, Looking at existing studies shows that studying this plant can help find new treatments for serious illnesses. Also, looking at how different parts of the plant work together or cancel each other out could lead to new herbal medicines for healthcare. The research also found that certain characteristics helped tell one plant apart from another. These traits included how the plant grows, the shape of its branches, the color and texture of the stem, the leaf shape and color, and the appearance of the pods and seeds. On the other hand, there were also measurable traits like how long it takes to flower, the height of the plant, the size of the stem, and the size and weight of the leaves and seeds. The study found 23 plant varieties that performed best in terms of growing well: RV05, RV08, RV10, RV12, RV22, RV26, RV33, RV58, RV65, RV88, RV93, RV01, RV09, RV18, RV27, RV69, RV74, RV75, RV76, RV89, RV93, and RV96.

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Received on 21.11.2025 Revised on 12.12.2025

Accepted on 09.01.2026 Published on 10.04.2026

Available online from April 13, 2026

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2026; 16(2):199-204.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00031

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