Astilbe rivularis

Buch. Ham.

a rhizomatous perennial herb of the Saxifragaceae family

has been listed in rare species. In traditional medicine the plant has been used for the treatment of ulcer

bleeding during child birth

inflammation

body ache

diarrhea

and dysentery. This article reviews and analyses the traditional use

pharmacological activities of the corresponding bioactive compounds

and toxicological data on

A. rivularis species

.

A. rivularis

has been used across Indian subcontinent to treat various human ailments. Its extract consists of alkaloids

flavonoids

coumarins and glycosides. These extracts as well as isolated bioactive compounds demonstrated various biological activities including antimicrobial

anti-peptic ulcer

anti-inflammatory

and antioxidant activity. Toxicological studies of the extract on brine shrimp larvae demonstrated mild toxicity; however no acute toxicity in mice. Although the pharmacological effect of

A. rivularis

has been poorly explored

the available data validated its use in ethnomedicine. To reveal the cryptic therapeutic potential of the species

research should focus on identification and mechanistic studies of the bioactive compounds.