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Phytochemical Diversity, Therapeutic Potential, and Nutraceutical Prospects of Underutilized Indian Leafy Herbs: Current Status, Advances, and Future Directions
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Debalina Kundu *   , Abu Saleh Musha Islam , Amartya Gupta , Rituparna Mukherjee , Nandita Das |
| MitraSK & Department of Food Technology and Biochemical Engineering, Jadavpur University, Kolkata- 700032, India , debalina.kundu@mitrask.in |
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Abstract: (23 Views) |
| Underutilized edible leafy herbs form a critical yet often overlooked component of Indian diets and traditional medicine, offering a potent source of phytonutrients with diverse health benefits. This review evaluates eight such herbs Moringa oleifera, Amaranthus viridis, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Solanum nigrum, Murraya koenigii, Mentha spicata, Basella alba, and Ipomoea aquatica, focusing on their phytochemical profiles, pharmacological potential, and functional food applications. These species are rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, betalains, and saponins that exhibit antioxidant, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and antimicrobial effects. Nutraceutical innovations, including nanoencapsulation, high-resolution metabolomic profiling (LC-MS, NMR), and green extraction methods, have enhanced the bioavailability and stability of these phytoconstituents. Despite strong in vitro and preclinical evidence, clinical trials and standardization protocols remain limited. This review identifies key research gaps and advocates for omics-integrated, sustainability-focused strategies to promote these herbs as climate-resilient, low-input crops for dietary diversification, nutrition security, and functional food development. The findings provide a roadmap to integrate Indian leafy greens into modern nutritional frameworks while preserving ethnobotanical heritage. |
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| Keywords: Edible Indian leafy herbs, Phytochemicals, Nutraceutical applications, Sustainable nutrition, Bioactive compounds, Omics-guided food innovation |
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Full-Text [PDF 599 kb]
(5 Downloads)
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Article type: Review |
Subject:
Food Science
Received: 2025/11/14 | Accepted: 2026/06/14 | Published: 2026/08/1
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- Evaluates eight underutilized Indian leafy herbs for their phytochemical diversity and therapeutic applications.
- Highlights bioactivities such as antioxidant, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects.
- Discusses omics-integrated strategies, nanoencapsulation, and green extraction for enhancing nutraceutical efficacy.
- Identifies research gaps in clinical validation, standardization, and bioavailability.
- Promotes these herbs as climate-resilient crops for sustainable nutrition and food security.
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Kundu D, Islam A S M, Gupta A, Mukherjee R, Das N. Phytochemical Diversity, Therapeutic Potential, and Nutraceutical Prospects of Underutilized Indian Leafy Herbs: Current Status, Advances, and Future Directions. Nutr Food Health Dis 2026; 13 (1) :19-28 URL: http://nfsr.sbmu.ac.ir/article-1-678-en.html
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