Sauropus androgynus L. Merr is an unexploited medicinal shrub under the family Phyllanthaceae known as a green multivitamin plant and used as a leafy vegetable. Many phytochemicals from the leaf extracts of S. androgynous act as antioxidant, anti-microbial, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and anti-obesity agents and can potentially enhance breast milk production. The leaf extracts of this shrub contain ascorbic acid, eugenol, gallic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and different types of flavonoids. These phytochemicals have oxidative scavenging, glucosidase inhibitory, and superoxide dismutase activities. The plant has several nutrients to help metabolic activity and increase longevity. Herbal industries depend on natural resources. Identifying plant species is also essential before using them as herbal ingredients. DNA barcoding tags are used to determine the authenticity of plant species and herbal drugs. Seven barcoding markers have been tested for the identification of S. androgynus. Markers rbcl, rpoC1, and trnH-psbA showed the fragment size at 580, 500, and 520 bp, respectively. However, rpoC1I and adh reflect at 380 and 300 bp and the ycf5 show at 450 bp. These markers may be used to authenticate the plant and prepare herbal medicine. This review highlighted the basic biology, phytochemical, pharmacological, and biotechnological overview of S. androgynus for sustainable human health.
Key words: Sauropus androgynus, Phytochemicals, multivitamin shrub, DNA-barcoding,
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