Phytochemical and pharmacological potential of Impatiens balsamina

Impatiens balsamina is an annual herb, belongs to the family Balsaminaceae, commonly seen in India, China, and Korea. It is an erect plant commonly known as rose balsam and garden balsam. Studies shows that the plant contain many valuable phytoconstituents such as flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, naphthoquinones, and glycosides. The plant is used in traditional medicine for their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic and antidermatitic properties. The plant can also be used to treat burns, scalds, and lumbago. Flowers of the plant is used as dye in pastry. Seeds of this plant is edible. Leaves and stem are also edible when boiled. Leaves, stem, flowers are also having medicinal properties. Microscopical features of pollen grains shows that the pollen grains contain a vegetative and generative cell. Many studies have been done to identify the pharmacological properties of this plant. Some of the pharmacological actions of the plant include antipruritic, antidermatitic, antimicrobial, antitumor, wound healing, antidiabetic and antinociceptive. The present review summarizes information about the morphology, chemical constituents, and pharmacological actions of Impatiens balsamina for future works.