Begonia roxburghii: A Comprehensive Review of its Botanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Properties

Medicinal plants have been used by human civilisations for centuries as natural remedies for various ailments. These plants contain a wide range of biologically active compounds that can influence physiological processes and support healing. Many cultures have developed rich traditions of herbal medicine, passing down knowledge through generations. Today, medicinal plants remain an important source for the development of modern pharmaceuticals and continue to be valued for their therapeutic potential.1. Medicinal plants have been used since the Vedic era. For thousands of years, they have been used to treat and prevent many types of diseases along with epidemics. Some medicinal plants are also utilised as pleasant condiments, for flavouring, for dyeing, for preserving food, etc. Almost every portion of the plant has its own medicinal properties. Different types of secondary metabolites are found in the medicinal plants, which play an important role in many kinds of diseases and are also used for manufacturing medicines. A large number of the plants are also reported to possess many other activities, like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-insecticidal, anti-parasitic, antibiotic, and anti-haemolytic properties.2. Over the past few decades, the use of traditional medicines has rapidly gained in popularity around the world, and it is estimated that almost 80% of the world’s population rely on traditional medicines, particularly in developing countries that have limited access to essential medicines (Farnsworth et al., 1985). In China, the use of herbal preparations accounts for 30-40% of the total medicinal consumption, and in Africa, up to 80% of the population uses traditional medicine for primary healthcare (WHO, 2003). Today, more than 1500 herbal medicines are sold worldwide. The global market for herbal industries is approximately US $62 billion annually and is showing strong growth. The world’s economy in the pharmaceutical market has also increased dramatically over the years - in 2006, the pharmaceutical market reached a record high of US $643 billion and is projected to approach US $1.3 trillion by the year 2020.3 Begonia roxburghii (Miq.) A.? DC. is a rhizomatous geophyte native to subtropical and tropical forested areas, specifically the Himalayas extending through Nepal, Bangladesh, northeast India, and Myanmar. It grows well in shaded, nutrient-rich soils at elevations of about 300 to 1,850 m. This species has been recognized since 1864. It usually has one main stem with flowers coming from the leaf joints. The plant is mostly smooth, with only a few hairs on the flowers.4. Begonia roxburghii has been used for many years in South and Southeast Asia, especially in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar, for various medicinal purposes. Local communities use the leaves, roots, and sap of the plant to address gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea, dysentery, stomach pain, and gastritis. They apply leaf juice or paste to wounds, burns, bruises, and insect stings for its healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In tribal practices, particularly among the Khampti in Arunachal Pradesh, people use the plant to manage diabetes mellitus. It is also used to treat liver disorders, jaundice, urinary tract issues, fevers, and oral infections. These ethnomedicinal applications highlight the plant’s potential as a source of bioactive compounds for further pharmacological research.5

Vernacular Names:6

Taxonomy:7

Various Plants Of The Begoniaceae Family:⁵

The Begonia genus of the  Begoniaceae family contains approximately 2000 species, and this Begoniaceae family can be classified on the basis of various factors. Classification on the basis of their difference in the structure of root, leaves, etc.

Tuberous

The name tuberous was given due to the tuber like structure of their root. Grown from tubers, they have spectacular large flowers, are deciduous in winter, and are popular for bedding and hanging baskets.

Examples: Begaonia boliviensis

Fibrous

Fibrous Begoniaceae are next in fame, followed by the tuberous Begoniaceae especially in America. Fibrous Begoniaceae are used to decorate houses in America. The root of this Begoniaceae resembles the structure of fibre.

Examples: Begonia semperflorens-cultoram

RHIZOMATOUS

Rhizomatous Begoniaceae is indigenous to Asia and America. The modern strain of Rex Begoniaceae is descended from this rhizomatous Begoniaceae. The name rhizome is apparently due to their property of rhizome, which is attached to soil like reptiles.

Examples: Begonia masoniana, Begonia rex.

BULB

Bulb Begoniaceae belongs to small classes of Begoniaceae, and the root structure is likely the structure of a bulb. This Begoniaceae was derived from an arid island in the Indian Ocean. Bulb Begoniaceae were first discovered in 1880.

Cane-Like

Cane like Begoniaceae is very close to the structure of bamboo and contains a long internode. These plants are very popular, as they are easy to grow and enhance the natural beauty with their various colourful heavy flowers. Bright red, orange, pink, white and all shades in between these colours are common of cane-like Begoniaceae.

Examples: Begonia lucerne, Begonia aconitifolia.

Thick Stem

The length of thick-stem Begoniaceae is five or six feet. These plants grow upward with a tall appearance. Sometimes they are branched and sometimes non-branched. Thick-stemmed Begoniaceae contains leaves surrounding the ascending axis of the plant.

Examples: Begonia peltata, Begonia luxurians.

Most Common Species Of The Begoniaceae Family:

Begonia malabarica

B. malabarica is a herb that contains a stem. They are usually 2 ft in length and are repetitively dividing, alongside numerous leaves. Leaves are 3-5 inches, heart-shaped usually uneven at the base.

Medicinal uses

B. malabarica is an essential medicinal plant, and its fundamental secondary metabolites are quercetin, luteolin, and β-sitosterol. The leaves are very effective for curing diarrhoea, blood cancer, as well as respiratory infections.

Begonia sparreana

Leaves of B. sparreana are 2-4 inches long. This plant contains a rhizome that is essential for the multiplication or reproduction of this plant.

Medicinal uses: Leaves are effective to cure gastrointestinal disorders like diarrhoea and jaundice.

Begonia peltatafolia

B. peltatafolia comprises juicy stems which are freely branched, and the ascending axis of the plant is twisted with a white-coloured substance. Leaves are usually 2-5 inches long (Otto & Dietrich, 1841).

Medicinal uses: Leaves are used in the treatment of stomach ulcers, stomach-aches, bilious dysentery, diarrhoea and respiratory infections, blood cancer and skin diseases.

Begonia roxburghii

B. roxburghii is a kind of herbal medicinal plant that belongs to Begoniaceae family. It is also known as East Himalayan Begonia, as they are highly available in the Himalayan region of India, Nepal and Indo-China. In Bangladesh, its common name is Khatredoi, and this name is derived from the Chakma language. B. roxburghii grows in the shady, moist places of the Chittagong hilly tracts region.

Distribution Of Plant:⁸

Begonia roxburghii is an annual dicot plant of the family Begoniaceae and is found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are monoecious (have both male and female organs), and they are generally self-pollinated. Its parts are variously used in traditional practice for different health benefits. Begonia roxburghii is a kind of herbal medicinal plant that belongs to the Begoniaceae family. It is also known as East Himalayan Begonia, as they are highly available in the Himalayan region of India, Nepal and Indo-China. In Bangladesh, its common name is Khatredoi, and this name is derived from the Chakma language. B. roxburghii grows in the shady, moist places of Chittagong hilly tracts region.

Phytochemical Constituents:⁹

The phytochemical constituents of B. roxburghii were extracted from the collection of leaves by standard procedures and showed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, saponins, reducing sugars, steroids, resins, carbohydrates and phenols. The extraction of secondary phytochemical constituents revealed that flavonoids and alkaloids are present in a very high concentration, while other substances are present in an average amount. The methanolic extract from the leaf of B. roxburghii showed a considerable amount of percent inhibition against DPPH free radical, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), indicating a strong antioxidant potential of the plant. The methanolic extract is also used for different tests which show the activities of cytotoxic potential, analgesic, antiarthritis and thrombolysis.

Botanical Description:¹⁰

Plant: Begonia roxburghii. (Common name: East Himalayan begonia). an Individual plant can grow up to 35-80 cm in length, and is a small, perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family Begoniaceae, it typically grows in moist, shaded habitats such as damp forest floors, stream banks, or on moss-covered rocks. This species is native to the eastern Himalayan region, including parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and the northeastern states, thriving in tropical and subtropical climates.

Leaves: Leaves are usually cordate, uneven and sharp at the base. The dimensions of the leaves are about 15-22.8 cm. having leathery leaves, with hairs on both surfaces or smooth, the leaves are alternate in arrangement and are one of the most distinctive features of the plant, the upper surface is usually dark green, while the lower surface often has a reddish or purplish hue, and the petioles are long and often reddish in colour.

Flowers: Flowers are white in colour and have a yellow bunch at the centre. Flowers have four petals which show up with constrained space at the end. Fruits are usually subpyramidal, 4-celled and very succulent and divided into four roundish projections and those are encompassed by red dots. it is a monoecious species (male and female flowers occur on the same plant). the male flowers have four unequal perianth segments and numerous free stamens. the female flowers consists of five perianth segments an inferior ovary and three forked segments. Flowering occurs commonly during the monsoon and post-monsoon season from June to October.

Fruits and seeds: the fruit is a winged capsule, usually three-winged, and is dehiscent, meaning it splits open at maturity to release seeds. The seeds are externally small, numerous and dust-like, the fruit period typically follows the flowering season, extending into late monsoon and early winter.

Stem: The juicy stem of the Begonia is about 10 cm long. It is non-woody, soft and green in texture.

Root: the root system arises from a rhizomatous or tuberous base, these underground structures help the plant store nutrients and water, allowing it to survive through dry or harsh periods. The roots are fibrous and spread laterally through the moist topsoil.

Figure 1: Begonia Roxburghii Plant

Figure 2: Begonia roxburghii. A-B. Plant habit. C. Male inflorescence. D. Female inflorescence. E. Male flower. F-G. Fruit.