Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review of Orthosiphon stamineus: A Mechanistic and Therapeutic Perspective on its Bioactive Compounds
Zhu Song, Shazrul Fazry, Li Meng, Zhao Jing, Ahmed Abdulkareem Najm, Norlida Mat Daud, Douglas LawIntroduction/Objective:
Orthosiphon stamineus (Misai Kucing) is a traditional Southeast Asian medicinal herb widely used to treat metabolic, renal, and inflammatory disorders. This review aims to summarize current evidence on its phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities, with emphasis on functional differences among solvent-derived extracts.
Methods:
Relevant studies were identified through searches of PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Publications reporting phytochemical profiling, particularly LC–MS analyses, and experimentally validated biological activities of O. stamineus extracts were critically evaluated.
Results:
More than 60 bioactive compounds, including flavonoids, diterpenoids, and phenolic acids, have been identified. Aqueous, ethanolic, and hydroalcoholic extracts demonstrate antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and anticancer activities. Mechanistic studies indicate effects on insulin secretion, GLUT4 translocation, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress reduction, and the suppression of inflammatory mediators.
Discussion:
Most pharmacological effects occur at the extract level, suggesting synergistic interactions among multiple phytochemicals.
Conclusion:
O. stamineus shows strong therapeutic potential, warranting further mechanistic, toxicological, and clinical investigations for evidence-based applications.