Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science Vol. 6 (03), pp.

151-158, March, 2016

Available online at http://www.japsonline.com
DOI: 10.7324/JAPS.2016.60326
ISSN 2231-3354

The “Wonder Plant” Kalanchoe pinnata (Linn.) Pers.: A Review

P. B. Rajsekhar*, R. S. Arvind Bharani, Maya Ramachandran, K. Jini Angel, Sharadha Priya Vardhini
Rajsekhar Rajkeerth Research Team, M/s., Rajkeerth Aromatics and Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT

Article
Kalanchoe pinnata history:
(Linn.) Pers. is a plant found mostly in the temperate and tropical regions of the world. It is
traditionally known to exhibit04/11/2015
Received on: a wide range of pharmacological activities that involves treatment for the most
serious disordersRevised
relatedon: 05/01/2016
to mankind. In this review, the therapeutic and medicinal values of the plant which
Accepted on:antioxidant,
includes its wound-healing, 21/01/2016anticancerous, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal,
antileishmanial,Available online:
anthelmentic, 30/03/2016anti-allergic, analgesic, antinociceptive, anti-oedematogenic, anti-
insecticidal,
inflammatory, muscle-relaxant, antipyretic, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, sedative, antilithiatic,
hepatoprotective,Key words:
gastroprotective, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, haemoprotective, antihistamine,
antihypertensiveKalanchoe pinnata; plant activities have been comprehensively discussed. In ethnomedicine, it is
and immunosuppressant
extracts; pharmacological;
known for its anthroposophical and tocolytic effects in pregnant women. Also, it is used to facilitate dropping of
ethnomedicine.
placenta during child birth. Scientists have explored the different parts of the plant and have established the
clinical potentials of the plant as a whole and its parts successfully. Few scientific validations have even lead to
the isolation and determination of the applications of the bioactive compounds from various solvent extracts of
the plant. Further research and clinical trials have to be carried out in order to commercialise the potential
pharmaceutical uses of the plant for which one should thoroughly know about the pharmacognostic properties of
the plant.

INTRODUCTION margins which can be cut off from the parent and cultivated et al.,
separately on pots or barren lands (Kaur et al., 2014). This 2008;plant is
Diseases are aonwater-storing
the rise sinceperennial
the advent ofgrows
life onabout
earth.1 to 1.5 m tall. Cruz et al.,
that The
Procuring a defensive mechanism is a challenge for researchers. 2012),
leaves are thick green, fleshy, distinctively scalloped. The stems
Plants are a boon to mankind. analgesic
are tall They are explored,
and hollow bearingresearched
pendulous and bell-like flowers (Okwu and
exploited to combat various Nnamdi, dreadful
2011a). diseases.
This plant Plants that prove
is mostly found a on plains,(Afzal et
tropical and
cure to diseases are considered al.,
temperatemedicinal.
regions ofTheir Africa, therapeutic
Australia and America. It2012a), is one of the
© 2016 PB Rajsekhar et nature
al. This
alsoisprevents
an open occurrences
access article of distributed
certain under Such
conditions. the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
plant-based
side
which
belonging
pharmaceutical
very
pinnatum)
leaf”,
“Air
and
*“Mother
so
effects.
long
plant”,
Email:“Mexican
are
onoftime.
belongs
used
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(Figure
Correspondingthousand”
compounds
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Kalanchoe
thisas
Kalanchoe
value
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agents
to ethnomedically
1)License
the
commonly
and
antioxidant
anticancerous
plant”,
facilitate
used
antiproliferative
2000;
et
healing
al.,
(Afzal
Supratman
2011a)
as
is
have
are
al.,
Crassulaceae
2011b),
to
“Goethe
ahave
2014).
new
pinnata
rajkeerthresearchteam@gmail.com
License -NonCommercial-ShareAlikeUnported Author to
genus
treat
less
2006;
Okwu
been
“Katakataka”,
et
treat
properties
and
been
childbirth,
toxic
al.,
plantlets
known
various used
insecticidal
It(Asiedu-Gyekye
that
et
traditionally
plant”,
Muzitano
(synonym:
stones
rheumatism
and
possesses
2012b).
(Devbhuti
studied
al.,
and
family.
has
(Gupta medicinal
Nnamdi,
as
2001),
ailments.
(Khan
“Wonder
in
show
many
treat
arise
“Ranakalli”
“Cathedral
Earlier
the
by
et
(Supratman
various
ItBryophyllum
etet
known
al., plants
antiprotozoal,
(Prasad
ulcers,
scientists
et
minimal
is
gall
species
2011a,
al.,
al.,
from
al.,
also
Plants
2009),
et
of
inbladder
2010),
2012;
al., by the
pharmacological
2004;
the
Africa,
for
skin
known
“Miracle
et
Bells”,
b),
most
the
or
2012;
for
et
World”
anthelmentic
al.,
their
antiviral
Mahata
diseases
nil folklore
antimicrobial
al.,
Nayak
(Gahlaut
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/).aleaf
K.
2012).
antileishmanial
of
asBhatti
2000),
pinnata
et
(Mahata
(Okwu
Ital., of Asia
etanti-allergic
qualities
has
(Majaz
al.,
was
2010).
(Akinpelu,
2012),
high
and
2012;
2012),
. et
used
(Muzitano
et
al.,
wound-
like
Nnamdi,
Ital.,
Raj
to
is2012;
(Cruz
et
152 Rajsekhar et al. / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 6 (03); 2016: 151-
158
antinociceptive, anti-oedematogenic,
as antimutagenic activity
anti-inflammatory
of the juice (Gupta
extract ofet the plant.
al., 2010; Ojewole,Phytochemicals
2005), muscle-relaxant
such as alkaloids,
(Ozolua etphenols,
al., 2010;flavonoids, saponins,
Salahdeen and Yemitan,
tannins, 2006),
triterpenoids,
antipyretic
glycosides,
(Biswascarbohydrates,
and Montal, sterols and amino
2015), anticonvulsant,
acidsantidepressant,
are found to be sedative
present(Matthew
in this plantet al.,
(Matthew et al., 2013b).
2013a; Salahdeen These
and Yemitan,
chemical 2006),
components
antilithiatic
are responsible
(Gilhotra for et al.,
exhibiting the
2013; Shukla et above
al., 2014),
mentioned
antidiabetic
pharmacological
(Goyal et al.,effects.
2013;In this review, an effort
Matthew et al., 2013c),
has beenhepatoprotective
made to discuss (Afzal
the various
et al.,fore-mentioned
2013; activities of
Yadav and Dixit,K.2003),
pinnatagastroprotective
(Linn.) Pers. so(Pal
as to
andgain
Chaudhuri,
knowledge about its
1991; Sharma et al., 2014), nephroprotective (Harlalka therapeuticet al.,
and ethnomedical values.
2007; Ramesh et al., 2014), thrombolytic (Akanda et al., 2014),
haemoprotective (Sharker et PHARMACOLOGICAL
al., 2012), antihistamineEFFECTS
(Nassis etOF THE PLANT
al., 1992; Cruz et al., 2008), antihypertensive (Bopda et al., 2014;
Wound-healing activity
Ghasi et al., 2011; Ojewole, 2002), immunosuppressant (Cruz et
The ethanolic extract of K. pinnata showed significant
al., 2008; Rossi-Bergmann et al., 1994), etc. This medicinal plant
wound-healing activity by decreasing the size of the affected area
has been widely used in anthroposophic therapy for about 90
as well as oedema at the wounded site. Nayak et al., (2010)
years, from Rudolf Steiner’s indications and understanding of its
reported that this may be due to the presence of steroidal
action in human beings.
glycosides and phenolic antioxidants. A study carried out by Khan
et al., (2004) proved that water, petroleum ether and alcoholic
extracts of the plant have the potential to heal wounds. The study
also demonstrated that water extract showed more activity than the
other two extracts.

Antioxidant activity
Antioxidative agents protect cells against the damaging
effects of reactive oxygen species, such as singlet oxygen,
superoxide, peroxyl radicals, hydroxyl radicals and peroxynitrite.
Antioxidants possess reducing properties generally associated with
Fig. 1: Herbariumthe sheet of the plant
presence Kalanchoe pinnata
of reductones, which (Linn.)
havePers.
shown to exert antioxidant
action by breaking the free radical chain either by donating a
The partshydrogen
of the atom
plant or arean electron.toReductones
supposed be closely are also reported to
react with certain
connected with characteristics precursorscorresponding
of ‘astrality’ of peroxide, thus to the preventing peroxide
soul organisationformation.
in humans, Potential
controlling antioxidant
the hysteria activity has good
(excess of correlations in
the treatment ofsystem.
activity) of the metabolic-limb cardiovascular
In vitro disorders.
experimental Bhatti et al., (2012)
found that scavenging
studies showed antihistaminic activity of capacity
this plant.increased
Thosewith studiesincrease in
also demonstratedconcentration.
improvementThe leaves
of sleep were in
quality reported
pregnant to show maximum
women, and tocolytic scavenging
effectseffects
similarthan stems
to the and the ethanolic
beta-agonist but withextract showed
fewer adverse effects more total phenolic
(including and flavonoidal
for newborns) (Nascimento content et than
al., other extracts.
2014).
was
(2004)
myometrium.
reduced
contractions
contractility
taste,
2012b).
2013).
earache,
diarrhoea,
and
treatment
India
et al.,general
better
(Yadav
carminative
(1999)
A
The
researched
They
the
smallpox,
study
of
blood
tolerated
juice
spontaneous
debility
pattern.
jaundice
in
was
and
act
They
by
humans,
induced
The
insoluble
attributed
studied
transition
their
through
ethanolic
standard
lipid
extract
and
dysentery,
from
as
Dixit,
conducted
in
Plangger
on
the
scavenging
otitis,
reported
than
astringent
(Afzal
high
methanolic
phenolic
nature
The
phases.
aqua-coordination
the
in
fresh
reason
was
the
2003).
peroxidative
folk
thus
generation
beta-agonists.
contractions
antioxidants
leaves
in
cough,
amount
complexes.
extract
to
metals
et
antimicrobial
and
jaundice,
et
vitro
leaves
found
to
the
that
medicines
exhibiting
The
for
al.,
constituents
al.,
and
peroxyl
A
investigate
used
and
extracts
ability
asthma,
the
relaxant
their
study
even
of
2012b).
of
metal-chelating
(2006)
to
is
used
of
K.
phenols
bark
plant
as
used
be
stress
gout,
Inhibition
and
against
high
stabilised
in
radicals.
pinnata
by
of
Gwehenberger
of
bitter
change
to
sites
dependent
of
bronchial
suggested
lipid
and
of
It
effect
phenolics
oxytocin-induced
to
extract
Umbuzeiro-Valent
Bundelkhand
have
treat
the
headache,
the
antioxidative
(lipid
is
the
and
treat
and
tonic
antioxidant
oxidative
also
mutagenic
phase
has
plant.
in
acne
the
plant
Jaiswal
of
in
phenoxyl
flavonoids
generating
phase).
effectively
ability
vomiting,
uterine
human
lipid
used
strong
on
disorders,
(Afzal
ability
that
to
and
(Kumar
They
are
convulsion
its
et
stabilise
stress
et
auto-oxidation
the
for
region
(aqueous
chelate
sour
activity
al.,
ability
Tatsimo
as
activities
protective
et
al.,
radicals
to
isolated
the
juice
well
in
metal-coordinated
al.,
interact
et
in
to
(2014)
the
of
the
al.,
to
both
them
(Bhatti
et
extracts
phase)
by
reduce
of
radicals
seven
al.,
potential
with
reported
aqueous
ethyl
directly
bycould
(2012)
etfilling
ofmetal-
the
may
al.,
acetate
the
be
than
that
and
2012).
be
Rajsekhar et al. / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 6 (03); 2016: 151-158 153

kaempferol rhamnosides (2001) studiedderivatives

the activity
from ethylof compounds
acetate extract (bufadienolides)
and isolated
tested for their antioxidant
from methanolic
ability. It extract
was reportedof the plant.
that methanolic
The researchers reported that
extract and compound the bioactive
7 showed compound
highest activity
inhibitedbythe scavenging
activationof of the virus and
free radicals along with inhibition of microorganisms. suppressed Sindhu and tumour promotion.
Manorama (2013) experimented on hexane, chloroform, ethyl
acetate, acetone and ethanol extracts of the plant. They Antimicrobial activity
demonstrated that various Okwu solventand Nnamdi
extracts from(2011a,
leavesb)showed isolated two flavonoids
varying degrees and an alkaloidactivity
of antioxidant from the in ethanolic
different test leaf systems
extract of inK. pinnata and
a dose-dependentproved manner. theMajaz
antimicrobial activityexperimented
et al., (2011a) of the plant. These on
phytocompounds inhibited growth
the roots of the plant by preparing various solvent extracts. Among of some commonly found
gram-negative
extract of theand positive bacteria and fungi.
them, methanolic roots was proved to show best Ogochukwu (2011)
demonstrated the antimicrobial ability of aqueous and methanolic
activity.
extracts of the plant stem. Pattewar et al., (2013) studied the
antimicrobial potential of K. pinnata and stated that methanolic
Antitumour activity
extract showed better inhibition rate. Bacteria that are found on the
Devbhuti et al., (2012) experimented on mice by
skin can cause skin infections and when they enter the body, they
inducing tumour formation in the peritoneal region of the body.
cause respiratory diseases, food poisoning, wound infections,
Methanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant were administered as
abscesses, osteomyelitis, endocarditis, pneumonia and other
drugs in specific dosages. These extracts decreased the ascitic fluid
complications. So, the prepared extract can act against such
volume and arrested the tumour growth, acting as a tumour-
diseases, and save the lives of infected ones. The reported data can
suppressing agent. Thus, the extracts were reported to possess
be used to prepare antibacterial and antifungal cream for
antitumour activity. Mahata et al., (2012) researched on anticancer
commercial use (Pattewar et al., 2013). Mudi and Ibrahim (2008)
activity of the chloroform extract of the plant. The extract
isolated three bioactive compounds from leaf extract and tested
exhibited apoptosis-inducing property, growth-inhibitory activity,
their activity against respiratory infection-causing pathogenic
on cervical cancer cells due to the presence of certain
bacteria. The research confirmed the traditional use of the plant for
phytocompounds. The study also discussed on the antiviral
curing respiratory tract infections including pneumonia.
properties of the plant. The antineoplastic activity of the plant was
studied by AfzalChowdhury et al., (2011) worked on petroleum
et al., (2013). In the study, the intake of the ether and aqueous
extracts of K. pinnata to study the antifungal and cytotoxic
aqueous extract for N-diethylnitrosamine (DENA)-induced
activities of the extracts. It was reported that both the extracts
hepatocarcinogenesis in rats decreased the hepatic damage. The
showed almost same effect as that of the antifungal agent used as a
protective effect may be due to the antioxidant and
standard.
antiperoxidative effects coupled with an ability to correct the
abnormalities in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism through anAntileishmanial activity
increase in the activities ofThe fewprotozoans
lipid metabolising
of the genus enzymes. Leishmania cause the
DENA has the tendency to generate free radicals as its
disease Leishmaniasis. The aqueous extract of K. pinnata was metabolism
takes place in the liver,orally
disturbing theinfected
antioxidantwith status, ultimately
given to mice Leishmania amazonensis. After
leading to oxidative stress and carcinogenesis, and that is the
the trial, few observations were made such as the decrease in size
reason it is considered of theas lesions
a majorand environmental
the parasitical hepatocarcinogen.
load at the infected area.
Histopathological
treated
vacuolisation.
reduced
carcinogenic
Antiviral
transmitted
cancer
et
chloroform
subjected
proteins
Barr
humans,
al.,virus
(2012)
which
rats
necrotic
thus
leading
activity
Human
to
isshowed
viruses,
extract
cancer
aexamined
effects
inhibiting
isThe
herpes
infections.
antileishmanial
pinnata
visceral
extract
on
Continuous
growth
activity
earthworms
methanolic
to
damage
papillomavirus
examination
flavonoid
that
aqueous
the
of
the
cell
intense
acting
ofvirus
the
rise
formation
chloroform,
DENA.
did
the
possess
viral
but
lines,
of
leishmaniasis
and
plant.
Majaz
as
It
different
is
not
anticancer
that
centrilobular
also
extract
extract
treatment
and
as
was
glycosides
caused
aprotected
suppressed
show
of
major
well
activity
affects
The
anthelmentic
prevented
roundworms.
et
(HPV)
suggested
of
the
scavenged
al.,
was
methanolic
solvents
extract
tumours.
as
by
any
liver
threat
and
with
also
the
(2011b)
tumour
the
may
HPV.
found
in
is
necrosis
activity
the
anti-HPV
B-lymphocytes
from
the
section
one
(Muzitano
hepatocytes
the
fractions
that
to
be
against
expression
activity,
A
Supratman
the
to
extract
humans.
The
extract
growth.
of
and
did
attributed
study
further
this
be
against
and
free
the
ofresults
aaqueous
most
method
activities
the
when
comparative
DENA-
sexually
of
while
by
et
radicals,
not
Epstein-
Cervical
occurrence
from
commonly
of
al.,
the
the
Mahata
et
effective
to
only
of
viral
al.,
petroleum
2009).
plant
the
extract
worms.
could
their
the
ofAnthelmentic
controlled
presence
(Muzitano
study
study
when
be
The
of
found
of
The
applied
the
roots
ether
on
revealed
compared
of
the
the
of
et
2006).
activity
for
K.
al.,
154 Rajsekhar et al. / Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 6 (03); 2016: 151-
158
with of the most suitable test procedures to screen anti-arthritic and
others. anti-inflammatory
paralysis, but also caused death of worms agents as it closely
especially resembles human arthritis.
at higher
The root
concentration inArthritis
shorter timeinducedspan.byThe
formalin
reasonismaya model used for to
be attributed the evaluation of
extract of an agentaswith
the presence of tannins, theyprobable
can bindantiproliferative
to free proteinsactivity.
in the As some of the
the plant aboveoffractions
gastrointestinal tract host animalsignificantly inhibited
or glycoprotein on inflammation,
the cuticle they can be
not only considered to possess antiproliferative and anti-arthritic activities
of the parasite and cause death.
demonstra as well, which is quite similar to the standard drugs available at the
ted market (Gupta et al., 2010). Anti-inflammatory activity could be
Insecticidal activity
.
associated
Supratman et al., with
(2000)theisolated
action oftwothebufadienolides
flower extract of the plant on the
oedema
from the methanolic induced
extract of K.by croton Isolated
pinnata. oil, indicating
compoundsthe anti-oedematogenic
were reported to exhibit strong insecticidal activity against third ability of the plant.
instar larvae of the silkworm Theandcompounds
the reason isolated from the with
was associated aqueous extract
the presence of 1,reduced inflammation
3, 5-orthoacetate against
moiety carrageenan-induced
of the bufadienolides. rat paw
oedema and showed analgesic effect in acetic acid-induced
writhings in mice (Ferreira et al., 2014). Afzal et al., (2012a) state
Anti-allergic activity
that
Cruz et al.,the analgesic
(2012) activity
studied may of
the effect be K.
duepinnata
to suppression
on of
mast cells. Mast cells play a pivotalcyclooxygenase
role for the enzymes by theof
development steroidal compounds.
allergic asthma. The study showed that aqueous extract of the
plant effectively inhibited mast cell degranulation, thus preventing Muscle-relaxant activity
the development of allergic Salahdeen
airway diseases.
and Yemitan The data(2006) reported
tried evaluating the
suggest that the extract
muscle-relaxant
can also act activity
as an of immunosuppressive
the aqueous extract and observed
agent. Allergic anaphylaxis
reductionisinanother
the muscle
life-threatening
tone of the laboratory
immune animals.
reaction that causes Spasmolytic
death under activity
extremewassituations.
studied byContinuous
Ozolua et al., (2010) which
administration ofpresented
aqueous the extract
antispasmodic
of K. pinnata effect
prevented
of aqueous acuteleaf extract on
events related totracheal
allergen-induced
smooth muscle anaphylaxis.
cells and Thethatpotential
the extract anti-could be used for
allergic activity themayprophylaxis
be due to the of presence
asthma. Nwose of flavonoids
(2013) determined
(Cruz et the effect of
al., 2008). ethanolic extract on serum creatine kinase. An increase in the
values of creatine kinase activity in the albino rats treated with the
Antinociceptive ethanolic
activity extract of the plant was observed. This increase in
Morshed activity
et al.,could
(2010) encourage
worked the on two
supply
medicinal
of energy plants
(ATP)to needed for
determine the antinociceptive
muscular contraction activityandof them.relaxation,
It waswhichdetermined in the case of asthma
that methanolic extract
can bringof K.aboutpinnata
dilatation
showed of constructed
significant effect smooth onmuscles of the
mice when compared with standard
administered aqueous drug aspirin.
extract. TheItCNS-depressant
reduced the activity ofbronchi.
the
number of acetic acid-induced writhings in a dose-dependent
manner. Ojewole (2005) reported that the aqueous extract showedAntipyretic activity
antinociceptive effects against Biswas thermally
and Montal and chemically
(2015) demonstratedinduced the effect of
pain in mice. The aqueous
plant extract
extract onrelieved
hyperthermic pain andcondition
protected in laboratory
the animals.
mice. The
antinociceptive
production
prostaglandins,
Anti-inflammatory
activity
Petroleum
leaves
formaldehyde-induced
exhibited
extracts.
which
histamine,
known initiates
were
that
ofFormaldehyde
more
An
aqueous
the
ether,
serotonin,
of
inhibition
administered
experiment
inflammatory
plant
the
significant
histamine,
Pyrexia
the
effects
hydroalcoholic
laboratory
Behavioural
exhibiting
activity
antidepressant
Yemitan
anticonvulsant
chloroform,
production
seizures
extract
plant
activity
was
prostaglandins
ofby
oedema.
was
induces
was
performed
oedema
showed
(2006)
to
Matthew
to
inhibiting
polypeptide
may
inhibition
specimens,
its
were
determine
cytokines
experimental
induced
found
changes
acetone
antipyretic
of
drugs.
activity
extract
probably
Out
inflammation
to
delayed
endogenous
induced
CNS-depressant
demonstrate
to
et
by
the
of
and
in
of
were
al.,
and
Another
be
and
itthe
Gupta
of
kinins
which,
of
rats
paw
release,
reduced
nearly
bradykinin.
have
effect.
(2013a)
and
by
K.
methanol
models
the
extract
anti-inflammatory
mediators,
observed
by
oedema
pinnata
formalin
et
mediators
the
and
aqueous
from
exerted
study
methanolic
injecting
same
the
al.,
The
synthesis
the
mortality
may
reported
with
so
activity
sedative
(2010).
cell
fractions
Neuropharmacological
presence
in
was
body
on.
It
than
as
including
in
its
be
extract.
is
mice
damage,
such
the
Brewer’s
rats
made
administered
also
the
other
and/or
in
fraction
temperature
that
of
commercially
effect
that
is
mice.
reason
from
as,
the
of
Picrotoxin-induced
ethanolic
one
byflavonoids
were
mice
yeast.
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