Background: Tea or Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze is the most consumed beverage after water. Its consumption has been considered a health promoting habit since historical times which has now been scientifically proven for its immense beneficial characteristics to human health. Tea is enriched with polyphenolic compounds which exhibit antioxidant activity. Objective: The objective is to summarize the phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses and pharmacological uses of the C. sinensis along with the identification of the research gaps. The present study is also focused on draining the attention of researchers toward this household beverage for its better utilization in pharmaceutical preparations. Methods: All the relevant data and information on C. sinensis has been compiled from various search data bases such as PubMed, Springer, NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information), Science direct, Google scholar, etc. Results: This review article highlights the various forms and formulations of C. sinensis leaves and the pharmacological effects of active constituents present in it. Phytochemical studies of the plant reveal the presence of about 4000 different alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, minerals and vitamins, etc. Catechins (epigallocatechin gallate) are the main constituent of this plant, which act as an antioxidant, anticancer, cognition enhancer and used in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders, neurodegenerative disorders and microbial disease. Apart from this, plant possesses antidiabetic, antidepressant, antibacterial and many more other activities. The other important phytoconstituents of the plant are caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, theaflavins and thearubigins. Conclusion: C. sinensis is a valuable medicinal plant and can be studied further for its unrevealed phytoconstituents and pharmacological actions. Active phytoconstituents of tea have been extensively studied through in-vitro, in-vivo and clinical protocols for various pharmacological actions whereas the mechanisms of few phytoconstituents still need to be explored and studied in depth. Hence, it is concluded that plant’s constituents need to be studied more to reveal their mechanism focusing on bioavailability and pharmacokinetics along with their utilization in the prevention of human diseases. Clinical trial number: Not applicable.

BACKGROUND: Brugmansia suaveolens (Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.) Bercht. & J. Presl (synonym Brugmansia arborea; family Solanaceae) is one of the total seven species of Brugmansia which is commonly known as angel’s trumpet. It has analgesic, antinociceptive, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiasthmatic, and various other activities. Despite its numerous medicinal properties, it has never been explored for its potential against bacterial species; also, no publication has been made on pharmacognostical characterization and high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) investigation of its leaves. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this article is to evaluate the pharmacognostical, physicochemical, HPTLC profiles of B. suaveolens leaves along with the assessment of in-vitro antibacterial activity of its various fractions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: B. suaveolens collected from sub-Himalayan region of Himachal Pradesh, India was authenticated and then studied for various pharmacognostic and physicochemical parameters employing proper quality control methods for medicinal plant materials designed by the WHO. Extracts and fractions of air-dried coarse plant powder were prepared and were identified for the presence of various classes of compounds using preliminary phytochemical screening. HPTLC profile for quantitative evaluation of atropine in leaves of B. suaveolens was carried out and lastly, fractions were assessed for antibacterial activity by using disc diffusion method against chloramphenicol as standard. RESULTS: Transverse section, powder microscopy, leaf constants, and physicochemical parameters revealed valuable data to set up standards for the plant. Alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, and carbohydrates were found to be present. HPTLC showed 7.79–13.20%w/w of atropine in the plant. Chloroform and ethyl acetate fraction showed encouraging results against four strains of Gram-negative bacteria with good zone of inhibitions. CONCLUSION: The present study provides referential information for identification, authentication, and standardization of this highly important crude drug.