Indian Aquatic Plants: Untapped Resources for Novel Therapeutic Agents

Et Al., Dubey

doi:10.21608/ejabf.2025.439200.6935

Indian Aquatic Plants: Untapped Resources for Novel Therapeutic Agents

Document Type : Review articles

Author

Dubey et al.

10.21608/ejabf.2025.439200.6935

Abstract

In pond environments, many aquatic plants have special roots or structures that help them stay anchored and thrive in water. These plants aren’t found only in ponds — they also grow in lakes, streams, marshes, and rivers. For a long time, they were often dismissed as useless or weedy since they weren’t seen as productive or practical. However, India’s waterways contain a surprising variety of these plant species, even though research on their possible medicinal uses is still quite limited. Recent studies have shown that many aquatic plants may have valuable health benefits. Some of them have been found to show antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cholesterol-lowering, blood sugar–reducing, and antifungal effects. Because of this, it’s worthwhile to explore their potential therapeutic uses. This review aims to summarize what is currently known about the medicinal potential of common aquatic plants found in different parts of India. It may be helpful for readers and researchers who are interested in studying plant extracts or isolated compounds to better understand how these species could be used in medicine.

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