Integrative Insights into the Medicinal Potential of Bisfayej (Polypodium vulgare Linn.)
Keywords:
Anti-epilepticAnti-spasmodic, Bisfayej, Melanagogue, Phlemagogue, Polypodium vulgare LinnAbstract
Approximately 80% of the global population relies on herbs and their constituents for medicinal purposes, as reflected in the rapidly expanding global and national markets for herbal remedies. Medicinal properties can be derived from the whole plant in its crude or extract form, or specific plant parts such as roots, fruits, seeds, flowers, and storage structures like rhizomes, bulbs, stamens, and tubers. Various natural organic and inorganic active compounds extracted from plants are widely utilized in medicine across many countries. Additionally, crude plant-based drugs are often considered safer for use compared to their isolated phytochemical counterparts. This review is aimed at presenting an overview of the medicinal properties of Polypodium vulgare Linn., its phytoconstituents and diverse pharmacological activities. A thorough literature survey was undertaken using the various classical Unani and Herbal literature books, as well as various online bibliographic databases, which were meticulously searched. P. vulgare is found to possess various medicinal and therapeutic properties and has a wide application in diseases such as arthritis, epilepsy, leprosy, melancholy and Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. Nevertheless, the concealed areas need to be evaluated to explore the practical clinical applications of P. vulgare roots.
Downloads
References
Afrin, Z., Siddiqui, A., Jafri, M. A., Vohora, D., & Asif, M. (2019). Preliminary screening of a classical unani formulation majoon najah for anticonvulsant activity. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 11(4), 142–153. https://doi.org/10.31838/ijpr/2019.11.04.021
Afsahul Kalam, M., Husain, Z., Haseeb, A., Husain, S., Shah, K., & Saleem, B. (2021). Ustukhuddus (Lavandula stoechas L.): A Boon for the Management of Neuropsychiatric Disorders in Perspective of Unani Medicine-A Review. Acta Scientific Pharmaceutical Sciences, 5(3), 02–09. https://doi.org/10.31080/asps.2021.05.0673
Ahmed, M., & Azmat, A. (2017). Decreased brain serotonin turnover rate following administration of Sharbat-e-Ahmed Shah produces antidepressant and anxiolytic effect in rats. Metabolic Brain Disease, 32(6), 1785–1790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11011-017-0065-6
Al Naggar, Y. (2017). Phytoecdysteroids: Isolation and Biological Applications. American Journal of Life Sciences, 5(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajls.20170501.12
Anonymous. (1992). Standardization of Single Drugs of Unani Medicine. In Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, New Delhi, India (First Edit). Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine(CCRUM).
Anonymous. (2006). National Formulary of Unani Medicine. (Part 1). CCRUM.
Bahadori, M. B., Mahmoodi Kordi, F., Ali Ahmadi, A., Bahadori, S., & Valizadeh, H. (2015). Antibacterial evaluation and preliminary phytochemical screening of selected ferns from Iran. Research Joournal of Pharmacognosy, 2(2), 53–59.
Baitar, I. (2003). Al-Jam’e al-mufridat al-adviawa al-aghziyah, (urdu translation. Central Council for Research in Unani Medi 4: 133-34.
Batur, S., Ayla, S., Sakul, A. A., Okur, M. E., Karadag, A. E., Daylan, B., Ozdemir, E. M., Kepil, N., & Gunal, M. Y. (2020). An alternative approach wound healing field with Polypodium vulgare. Medeniyet Medical Journal, 35(4), 315–323. https://doi.org/10.5222/MMJ.2020.89983
Bhat, M. D. A., Nazir, A., Ahmad, H., Wani, S. K., & Najar, F. A. (2023). Melancholia a Psychiatric Disorder Described in Unani System of Medicine: Its Similarities and Differences with Depression. Journal of Research on History of Medicine, 12(1), 27–34.
C.P, K. (2007). Indian Medicinal Plant: An Illustrated Dictionary. Berlin: Heidelberg Springer;
Chevallier, A. (2001). Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. In Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.
Coll, J., Reixach, N., Sánchez-Baeza, F., Casas, J., & Camps, F. (1994). New ecdysteroids from Polypodium vulgare. Tetrahedron, 50(24), 7247–7252. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0040-4020(01)85247-9
Contreras Cárdenas, A. V., Hernández, L. R., Juárez, Z. N., Sánchez-Arreola, E., & Bach, H. (2016). Antimicrobial, cytotoxic, and anti-inflammatory activities of Pleopeltis polylepis. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 194, 981–986. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JEP.2016.10.071
Dar PA; Sofi G; Jafri M A. (2012). Polpodium vulagare Linn. A versatile herbal medicine: A review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 3(06), 1616–1620.
Darr PA, Sofi G, Parray S, J. M. (2012). Effect of rhizome extract of bisfaij (polypodium vulgare linn) onchemically induced catalepsy in mice. International Journal of Institutional Pharmacy and Life Sciences 2(4):, 2(4), 94–108.
Das, N., Mishra, S. K., Bishayee, A., Ali, E. S., & Bishayee, A. (2021). The phytochemical, biological, and medicinal attributes of phytoecdysteroids: An updated review. Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B, 11(7), 1740–1766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsb.2020.10.012
Dymock W, Warden CJH, H. D. (1890). A History of the principal drugs of vegetable origin, met within British India.
Farràs, A., Cásedas, G., Les, F., Terrado, E. M., Mitjans, M., & López, V. (2019). Evaluation of anti-tyrosinase and antioxidant properties of four fern species for potential cosmetic applications. Forests, 10(2), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.3390/f10020179
Farràs, A., Mitjans, M., Maggi, F., Caprioli, G., Vinardell, M. P., & López, V. (2021). Polypodium vulgare L. (Polypodiaceae) as a Source of Bioactive Compounds: Polyphenolic Profile, Cytotoxicity and Cytoprotective Properties in Different Cell Lines. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 12(September), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2021.727528
Ghani, N. (2001). Khazainul Advia Vol. I-IV. Idarae Kitabus Shifa.
Gleńsk, M., Tichaczek-Goska, D., Środa-Pomianek, K., Włodarczyk, M., Wesolowski, C. A., & Wojnicz, D. (2019). Differing antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of Polypodium vulgare L. Rhizome aqueous extract and one of its purified active ingredients–osladin. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 17–18(January). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2019.100261
Hakim, M. A. (2002). Bustan ul-Mufridat. Idarae Kitabus Shifa.
Hršak, V. (2000). Two fern taxa from the Polypodium vulgare L. complex - New for Croatia. Acta Botanica Croatica, 59(2), 375–381.
Husain, A., & Sofi, G. D. (2010). Unani System of Medicine-Introduction and Challenges. Medical Journal of Islamic World Academyof Science, 27–30.
Kabir-al-Din, M. (2007). Makhzan al-Mufridat. Idarae Kitabus Shifa.
Kalam, M. A., Munshi, Y. I., & Karim, S. (2017). Bisfayej (Polypodium vulgare L.): A review on medicinal importance of rhizome with Unani prospective and modern pharmacology. International Journal of Unani and Integrative Medicine, 1(2), 4–6.
Kaur, P., Kaur, S., & Bansal, M. (2025). International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews In vivo investigations of antianxiety potential of Polypodium vulgare L . roots in rats. 6, 6200–6205.
Kumar, N. (2014). Studies on Medicinal Plants used in Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha Systems of Medicine, available in Tehsil Joginder Nagar. Research in Pharmacy, 4(3), 1–08.
MA, K. (2018). Muhit-i-A’zam. Central Council of Research in Unani Medicine.
Mahboubi, M., & Mahboubi, M. (2021). Phytomedicine Plus Pimpinella anisum and female disorders : A review. Phytomedicine Plus, 1(3), 100063. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100063
Mannan, A., Khan, R. A., & Asif, M. (1989). Pharmacodynamic studies on Polypodium vulgare (Linn.). Indian Journal of Experimental Biology, 27(6), 556–560.
Marhaba, K. (2023). a Review on the Phytopharmacological Properties, Unani and Modern Pharmacology of Bisfayej (Polypodium Vulgare Linn). International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 15(6), 16–20. https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2023v15i6.44373
Marion-poll, F., Calas, D., Darazy-choubaya, D., Faucher, C., & Descoins, C. (n.d.). Chapter 4 : Tasting toxicants as bitter : phytoecdysteroids Table of contents : Phytoecdysteroids as plant defence secondary compounds. 1–13.
Mottay, D., & Neergheen-Bhujun, V. S. (2016). Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Effects of Traditional Herbal Medicines used in the Management of Neurodegenerative Diseases in Mauritius. Archives of Medical and Biomedical Research, 2(4), 114. https://doi.org/10.4314/ambr.v2i4.2
Nadkarni KM. (2004). Indian plants and drugs. Srishti Book Distributors.
Nadkarni KM. (2009). Indian Materia Medica. Poplular Prakashan Pvt ltd.
NajmulGhani. (n.d.). Khazainul Advia. Idarae Kitabus Shifa.
Naz, S. B., Chaudhry, M. A., & Rahaman, S. U. (2016). Dual receptors blocked mechanism arbitrates smooth muscles relaxant effect of Polypodium vulgare. Bangladesh Journal of Pharmacology, 11(2), 414. https://doi.org/10.3329/bjp.v11i2.25777
Perveen, S., Wadud, A., Ahmed Makbul, S. A., Sofi, G., & Perveen, A. (2020). Unani concept of drug substitution (therapeutic interchange) and its validation on scientific parameters. Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine, 11(3), 301–307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaim.2017.11.006
Prajapati, ND and Kumar, U. (2005). Agro’s Dictionary of Medicinal Plants. Agrobios.
Saeedi, M., Babaie, K., Karimpour-Razkenari, E., Vazirian, M., Akbarzadeh, T., Khanavi, M., Hajimahmoodi, M., & Shams Ardekani, M. R. (2017). In vitro cholinesterase inhibitory activity of some plants used in Iranian traditional medicine. Natural Product Research, 31(22), 2690–2694. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2017.1290620
Shaker, S., Babaei, A. E., & Shojaeifard, M. (2024). The Influence of the Hydroalcoholic Extract of Polypodium vulgare L. on Pentylenetetrazole-induced Seizures and Its Comparison with the Impact of Sodium Valproate in a Rat Model. Archives of Epilepsy, 30(4), 104–109. https://doi.org/10.4274/ArchEpilepsy.2024.24134
Sofiane, G., Wafa, N., & Ouarda, D. (2015). Antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of flavonoids and tannins extracted from Polypodium vulgare L. Asian Journal of Biochemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 5(4), 114–122.
Sultana, A., Heyat, M. B. Bin, Rahman, K., Kunnavil, R., Fazmiya, M. J., Akhtar, F., Sumbul, Vidal Mazón, J. L., Rodríguez, C. L., & De La Torre Díez, I. (2022). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Premenstrual Syndrome with Special Emphasis on Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Supplements. Pharmaceuticals, 15(11), 1371. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph15111371
Sultana, A., Rangaswamy, P. A., & Najeeya, A. G. F. (2016). Assessment of Temperament in Women with Stress Urinary Incontinence: An Observational Study. Medical Journal of Islamic World Academy of Sciences, 24(2), 33–39. https://doi.org/10.5505/ias.2016.24392
Tabeshpour, J., Shakiban, D., Qobadi, A., Aghazadeh, E., & Yousefsani, B. S. (2023). Cytotoxic Effects of Ethanolic Extract of Polypodium Vulgare on Human Malignant Melanoma Cell Line. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(1), 275–281. https://doi.org/10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.1.275
Tariq, N. ahmed. (2010). Taj al mufridat. Idarae Kitab-us-Shifa.
Thiem, B., Kikowska, M., Maliński, M. P., Kruszka, D., Napierała, M., & Florek, E. (2017). Ecdysteroids: production in plant in vitro cultures. Phytochemistry Reviews, 16(4), 603–622. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-016-9483-z
Tichaczek-Goska, D., Gleńsk, M., & Wojnicz, D. (2021). The enhancement of the photodynamic therapy and ciprofloxacin activity against uropathogenic escherichia coli strains by polypodium vulgare rhizome aqueous extract. Pathogens, 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10121544
Ulbricht, C., Basch, E., Weissner, W., & Hackman, D. (2006). An evidence-based systematic review of herb and supplement interactions by the natural standard research collaboration. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 5(5), 719–728. https://doi.org/10.1517/14740338.5.5.719
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Marhaba Khanam, Arshiya Sultana, Khaleequr Rahman (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
