Fumaria officinalis L.

AbstractFumaria officinalis L. (Fumariaceae family), annual herbaceous plant, grows naturally throughout the world and is traditionally used in many countries. The dried aerial parts of F. officinalis (fumitory) at flowering period, Fumariae herba, has been accepted by numerous monographs, including Com E and EMA. The digestive and gallbladder-biliary systems have been the subject of the traditional uses of F. officinalis. It is also known that the plant is used to treat conjunctivitis, arteriosclerosis, bladder infections, constipation, skin disorders, as well as anti-rheumatism, and is cleaner of blood in folk medicine. The herbal medicinal products of F. officinalis have been available as comminuted in tea or powdered, and dry water extract in various pharmaceutical forms on the markets for more than 30 years. It is also reported that liquid extract, tincture, and juice of the plant are included in the components of the herbal preparations. Phytochemical constituents of F. officinalis have frequently been characterized as isoquinoline alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. It is demonstrated that various experimental studies on F. officinalis, such as in vitro, in vivo, and clinical trials, have been proceeded, in which therapeutic effects of the plant are exhibited due to the above-mentioned bioactive contituents. In the literature, it is seen that biological activities of F. officinalis extracts such as antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, amphocholeretic, and analgesic were examined. Otherwise, there has been no detailed evaluation of F. officinalis in pharmacognosic aspects until now. The aim of this work is to present F. officinalis description, and ethnobotany, phytochemistry, as well as its biological potentials by highlighting the connection between its ethnomedicinal uses and scientific or clinical proof. Additionally, the medicinal administrations and posology of F. officinalis were summarized, as well as herbal medicinal products available on the market. According to a review of the literature, certain medical applications of F. officinalis, such as dermatological conditions, infections, hypertension, and constipation, have not been adequately supported by research. Based on the current reports, it is clear that it is necessary to investigate F. officinalis more in terms of different biological activities and bioactive phytochemical components.KeywordsHerbal preparationDigestive systemGallbladder-biliary systemAlkaloids Fumaria officinalis