A SURVEY OF THE CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF ORTHOSIPHON STAMINEUS

For centuries, Orthosiphon stamineus Benth, a native plant to Southeast Asia, has been extensively used as a source of medicinal agents due to its wide range of medicinal properties. It is usually consumed as a herbal tea and it was believed to be useful in the treatment of diab etes, fevers, high blood pressure and bone or muscular pain, hypertension, kidney stone as well as promoting health and well being. The plant has also been reported to possess various novel secondary metabolites such as diterpenes, flavones and triterpene. This review summarizes the phytochemical investigations and pharmacological properties ofO. stamineus.