Author(s):

Jay Prakash Thakur, Padam Prakash Gothwal

Abstract: Tuberculosis is a chronic contagious disease caused by numerous species of mycobacterium. Due to multi-drug resistant strains of mycobacterium and to a high occurrence of tuberculosis in patients who have acquired human immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the number of patients infected with the disease is rising worldwide. Thus there is an urgent need for new efficient antimycobacterial agents to replace those currently in use. Presently, Pharmaceutical and nutritional sciences have perceived a bloom in the scientific literature geared towards the use of food plants for their diversified health benefits and potential clinical applications. Health specialists now identify that a synergism of drug therapy and nutrition might deliberate optimum outcomes in the fight against diseases. The prophylactic benefits of food plants are being investigated for potential use as novel medicinal remedies due to the presence of pharmacologically active compounds. Although the availability of scientific data is rapidly growing, there is still a paucity of updated compilation of data and concerns about the rationale of these health-foods still persist in the literature.The plant kingdom is undoubtedly an important source for new anti-tubercular agents. The present review article reports the findings of edible plants that have been reported for antimycobacterial/antitubercular activity. The profiles of plants presented in this review may include information about the scientific and family name, plant parts and bioassay used, the range of activity (MIC), and the active chemical agents and extracts. The large number of plants described in this review (82 plant species belonging to 40 families) clearly demonstrated the importance of edible plants in antimycobacterial activity. This work stimulates the researchers for further research on the potential use of edible plants having antitubercular activity. An attempt has been made to highlight those promising edible plant species which are worthy of further exploration as leads for drug development. The potential challenges of incorporating these medicinal foods in the diet which offers prospective opportunities for future drug development are also discussed.

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