A review on the medical effects of Capparis spinosa L.

Background and aims: Plants are a valuable source of wide range of secondary metabolites. Caper (Capparis spinosa L.) belongs to the Capparaceae family. It has a lot of medical uses especially in medical fields. The aim of this study is to review the medical uses of this plant in nobel studies. Methods: In order to conduct this review study, INLM and Google scholar and Science direct databases were searched for English published articles during ۲۰۰۰-۲۰۱۵. Results: This plant has a lot of traditional and medical use. The whole plant was used for rheumatism. Roots were used as diuretic, astringent, and tonic. Bark root, which has a bitter taste, was used as appetizer, astringent, tonic, ant diarrheic and to treat hemorrhoids and spleen disease. Bark was also used for gout and rheumatism, as expectorant, and for chest diseases. Infusion of stems and root bark were used as anti-diarrheic and febrifuge. Fresh fruits were used in sciatica, and dropsy. Dried and powdered fruit combined with honey was used in colds, rheumatism, gout, sciatica and backache. Seeds were used in feminine sterility and dysmenorrheal and to relieve toothache. Crushed seeds were used for ulcers, scrofula, and ganglions. Conclusion: The paper reviewed was promising medicinal plant with wide range of pharmacological activities which could be utilized in several medical applications because of its effectiveness and safety.

Keywords:

Capparis spinose L , INLM , Google scholar , Science direct , Medical uses