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[1]                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 AJDHS.COM 

 

 

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Copyright  © 2022 The  Author(s): This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the CC BY-NC 4.0 
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Iris ensata Thunb: Review on Its Chemistry, Morphology, Ethno Medical 
Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activities 

Diksha Jat1, Niharika Thakur2, Deepak Kumar Jain3*, Shilpi Prasad4, Rajni Yadav5  

1 Oriental College of Pharmacy, Raisen Rd, Patel Nagar, Bhopal, MP, 462022 

2 Truba Institute of Pharmacy, Karond Bypass Rd, Gandhi Nagar, Bhopal, MP, 462038 

3* Sun Institute of Pharmaceutical Education & Research (SIPER), Bhatpura Road, Lahar, Bhind, MP, 477445  

4 Siddhi Vinayaka Institute of Technology and Sciences, Mangla, Bilaspur, CG, 495001 

5 Dept. of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kalinga University, Naya Raipur, CG, 492101 

Article Info: 
_________________________________________ 

Article History: 

Received 03 Jan 2022      
Reviewed 21 Feb 2022 
Accepted 04 March 2022 
Published 15 March 2022 

_________________________________________ 
Cite this article as:  

Jat D, Thakur N, Jain DK, Prasad S, Yadav R, Iris 
Ensata Thunb: Review on Its Chemistry, 
Morphology, Ethno Medical Uses, Phytochemistry 
and Pharmacological Activities, Asian Journal of 
Dental and Health Sciences. 2022; 2(1):1-6 

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/ajdhs.v2i1.9                                 

_________________________________________ 

*Address for Correspondence:   

Deepak Kumar Jain, Sun Institute of 

Pharmaceutical Education & Research (SIPER), 

Bhatpura Road, Lahar, Bhind, MP, 477445   

Abstract 
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 

Medicinal plants are mainly used as herbal medicine and play an essential role in primary health care, 
ethno-medicine system and production of appropriate drugs. Due to this multi-usage, trade network 
demand for the different medicinal species can extend to national as well as international boundaries. 
As only little studies are done on this plant, the purpose of current review is to make accessible up-to-
date information on, botany, morphology, ecological biodiversity, therapeutic uses, phytochemistry 
and pharmacological activities on diverse parts of Iris ensata Thunb. The plant Iris ensata Thunb 
belongs to the family Iridaceae. It has been praised by the physicians of all times as a panacea and is 
broadly used in a huge number of disases. It heals up the chronic ulcers and absess, useful in insect 
bite, burns, vitiligo, weakness of muscles, itching and dandruff. It is emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, 
anti orchitis, used in cold cough, in all humours, pneumonia, dyspnoea. The egesta accumulated in the 
chest are attenuated and resolved by Irsa, it is emetic and purgative. Ibne Sina recommends its 
efficacious actions in strengthening the wisdom and intellect, cures head injuries skull bone fractures, 
phlegmic and hot swelling. Ibne Baitar quoted that it is useful in tooth ache, dyspnoea, spleenomegaly, 
rigidity of uterus, flatulence, it is abortifacient, anti tussive. The fermentation with sosan is benifecial 
in endometritis, adenitis and hard swelling. Its efficacy in dyspnoea, asthma, thorasic pain, hydropes, 
jaundice, haemorrhoids, liver complaints, and sciatica. Root of Iris ensata Thunb are reach source of 
glycosides steroids, resins, proteins, phenolic compounds and also tannins. Flowers of this plant also 
contains anthocyanin 5-0-glucosyltransferase (R2) and anthocyanin-flavone e.g. malvidine 3KGaC5G, 
petunidine 3KGac5c, delphinidine 3RGac5G, petunidine(R2) . The epigeal parts of this plant contain 
mangiferin(R) and leteolin C-glycosides. This review highlights the traditional, ethnobotanical, 
phytochemical, pharmacological information available on Iris ensata, which might be helpful for 
scientists and researchers to find out new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional 
uses. 

Keywords: Iris ensata Thunb, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological activity, Ayurveda, Medicinal uses 

Email: jaindeepak2022@gmail.com  Mobile: 09424036795 

INTRODUCTION 

Plant diversity is an important segment for biological diversity 
and is also useful for successful regulation of the ecosystem. 
Plants are performing as important ingredients in nature and 
are used in multifold directions among the human beings1. 
From the ancient time, herbal medicines have been used for 
the welfare of mankind as medicines to cure the series of 
diseases. New drugs of plant derivation are crucial because 
they are cheap, have little side effects and in accordance with 
WHO, about 80% of the world population are still depends 
mainly on plant based drugs2,3. As of now, it is well established 
that medicinal plants serve as lead molecules in modern 
medicines and nutraceuticals because of their derived phyto-
constituents4. Iris L., commonly known as Iris, are perennial 
plant growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous Irises) in 
temperate region (1000-3000 m altitude) or, they can also 
grow in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous Irises) belonging 
to the Iridaceae a family placed under the order Asparagales5. 

Almost cosmopolitan in distribution, it is one of the most 
important and prized group of plants in horticulture and 
floriculture. Plants of genus Iris comprise over 3000 species in 
the world of which twelve species are reported in India6 but 
most commonly Iris species found in India are Iris croceae, Iris 
ensata, Iris germanica, Iris hookerian, Iris kumaonensis and 
Iris kashmiriana specially found in Himalayan regions. 
Medicinal plants belongs to this genus has been named Irsa in 
Iranian traditional medicine. Iris is a genus of variety of 
species of flowering plants with showy flowers. Several 
cultures have used species of Iridaceae as food, ornamental, 
condimental, or medicinal plants. The Navajo, the largest 
Native American tribe of North America used decoctions of Iris 
missouriensis as an emetic7. Pieces of the rhizome of the same 
species were used to relieve toothaches8 or earaches9.The 
mashed roots of Iris versicolor were applied to wounds, 
presumably as an antiseptic10  and the infusions of dry roots of 
the same species were used to calm pain. Sisyrinchium acre 
was used in Hawaii in different ways. Leaves or leaf-sap were 

                       Open Access                                                                          Review Article                                          DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.22270/ajdhs.v2i1.9                                 

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Jat et al                                                                                                                                               Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2022; 2(1):1-6 

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used as a dye, to give the blue color to tattoos. The use of the 
leaves, macerated with salt, sugar and other spices was 
recommended to clean the skin and cure skin diseases11. Iris 
ensata was used in India as anthelmintic and diuretic, and, 
mixed with other species, to treat venereal diseases12. 
Therefore, in this study, the ethno pharmacological review of 
Iris ensata was carried out aimed at providing a detailed précis 
of the botany, ethnomedicinal uses, pharmacological activities 
and chemical composition of the species. 

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 

To recognize pertinent information on the botany, medicinal 
uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of C. latifolium, a 
review was compiled based on scientific literature from 
various sources including Google Scholar, Web of Science, 
SciFinder, Scopus, Science direct, PubMed, Scielo, Springerlink, 
Google Patents, Espacenet, BioMed Central (BMC) and 
Medline. The keywords used for recognition of relevant data 
included dissimilar scientific name and synonyms, common 
English names and the terms: biological activities, medicinal 
uses, ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, medicinal, 
pharmacology, phytochemistry and therapeutic value, C. 
latifolium, Irsa, Sosun, Marjal, Iris. Further literatures were 
obtained from books, book chapters, theses, websites and 
conference proceedings. 

Phytoconstituents and biological activities of Iris plants 

The intensive phytochemical investigations of various species 
of Iris have resulted in the isolation of variety of secondary 
metabolites. Approximately more than three hundred 
compounds have been reported from the genus Iris which 
flavonoids13, isoflavones (irigenin, nigricin, irisflorentin, 
iriskumaonin, irilon, iriflogenin, etc.) 14 and their glycosides; C-
glucosyl xanthones15, quinines16 , triterpenoids17, stilbene 
glycosides18. Other groups of secondary metabolite recorded 
in the family are saponins, fructans, non-protein amino acids, 
sterols and bufadienolides. Some individual metabolites are of 
economic importance. The sesquiterpene α -irone from Iris 
florentina L. is valued for its characteristic scent of violets and 
is used in perfumery. The yellow carotenoid-like pigment 
crocein from styles of Crocus sativus is employed as a food 
colorant. Again, the isoflavones iridin is a major component of 
orris root, obtained from the rhizome of Iris florentina, and 
still used in perfumery. Here, attention will be mainly focused 
on the more recent survey of phenolic patterns in the family, 
which covered 255 species from 57 genera19. The rhizomes of 
irises also contain carbohydrates, fatty oil, organic acids, 
tannins and essential oil, which is used in perfumery and 
cosmetics20,21, while the leaves are a source of ascorbic acid 
and vitamins18. Iris plants have immense medicinal 
importance and tremendous pharmacological potential and 
biological roles have been reported. The peeled and dried 
rhizomes of Iris species, collectively known as rhizome iridis 
enjoyed popularity due to their emetic, cathartic, diuretic 
stimulant and expectorant properties22. The dried rhizomes of 
iris has been used in folk medicine of European countries as a 
diaphoretic for bronchitis, in dental practice-in order to 
accelerate teething in infants; as anti-inflammatory for the 
treatment of pancreatic and salivary glands and the vegetative 
neurosis23.The rhizomes of Iris hookeriana exhibit significant 
anthelminthic activity against gastrointestinal nematodes of 
sheep. Extracts of Iris species in general possess strong total 
antioxidant, effective reducing power and exhibit free radical 
scavenging, metal chelating activities and inhibition of lipid 
peroxidation24. Powder of roots of Iris songarica, mixed with 
curd is used to cure diarrhea25.These species have been 
introduced as diuretic and expectorant at low doses and as a 
strong purgative and emetic in high doses. It has been 
reported that Irsa is useful for pulmonary, asthma, liver and 
uterus diseases as well as hemorrhoid and gripe26. The iris 

essential oil has expectorant properties17, 21. The isoflavone 
rich dietary consumption is reported to reduce risk of cancer 
particularly breast and prostate cancer27, 28. The role of 
isoflavones in cancer27, 29, osteoporosis, cardiovascular 
diseases and menopausal symptoms in addition to their 
antioxidant30, antimicrobial31 [31], anti-inflammatory and 
estrogenic activities27, 32. 

Iris ensata 

The plant Iris ensata belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is 
known by several names in the vernacular language, they are 
Hindi - Irsa, Sosun;  Kashmiri - Marjal, Unarjal; Urdu - Irsa; 
English -Iris. Japanese iris or Japanese water iris is a 
rhizomatous beardless perennnial iris that grows in slowly 
expanding clumps to 2-4′ tall. Rhizomes creeping, stout, 
prostrate. Leaves ensiform, 25-70 cm long, straight, tough with 
prominent midrib, margins scarious, apex acuminate, base 
dark purple. Aerial stem tufted, short, 20-100 cm high, stout or 
slender, bearing a single terminal or lateral head; spathes 3, 
unequal, lanceolate, 4-7.5 cm long, 1-3 flowered, veins distinct, 
raised; basal spathe shorter, apex usually acute; apical spathe 
longer, apex usually obtuse. Flowers lilac or reddish purple; 
pedicel 1.5-3.5 cm long. Falls and standards often with 
purplish veins, stalked. Perianth tube absent or very short; 
blade of falls rhomboidly ovate, entire, shorter than the claw, 
molted yellow at centre; standards erect, oblanceolate. 
Stamens about 3.5 cm long; anthers purple. Ovary cylindric; 
style purple, 5cm long. Capsule ellipsoid, 6- ribbed, beaked. 
Seeds reddish-brown, semi orbicular, flat33, 34. 

Flowering period: May-July  

Altitudinal range: 1600-2600 m 

Chromosome number: 2n = 24  

Distribution: Kashmir 

Scientific classification 

Kingdom: Plantae 

(Unranked): Angiosperms 

(Unranked): Monocots 

Order: Asparagales 

Family: Iridaceae 

Genus: Iris 

Subgenus: Limniris 

Species: Iris Ensata 

Binomial name: Iris Ensata Thunb 

Synonyms: Iris kaempferi Siebold ex Lem. 

 

Figure 1 Iris Ensata 

 

http://www.popflock.com/learn?s=Taxonomy_(biology)
http://www.popflock.com/learn?s=Monocots
http://www.popflock.com/learn?s=Binomial_nomenclature
http://www.popflock.com/learn?s=Synonym_(taxonomy)


Jat et al                                                                                                                                               Asian Journal of Dental and Health Sciences. 2022; 2(1):1-6 

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Phytoconstituents and medicinal properties  

Iris ensata (Irsa) is the supreme one among its comrade drugs 
used in respiratory ailments. It has been praised by the 
physicians of all times as a panacea and is broadly used in a 
huge number of disases. Dioscorides, cited by Razi, it heals up 
the chronic ulcers and absess, useful in insect bite, burns, 
vitiligo, weakness of muscles, itching and dandruff. It is 
emmenagogue, anti-inflammatory, anti orchitis, used in cold 
cough, in all humours, pneumonia, dyspnoea. The egesta 
accumulated in the chest are attenuated and resolved by Irsa, 
it is emetic and purgative. Razi quotes Galen (199 A.D.) in his 
book the container (Al- Hawi) that it has emmenagogue, anti 
tussive, anti-epileptic, astringent, regenerative and anti 
pleuritic actions, it is useful in pneumonia, pneumothorax, 
eclampsia, palpitation, chill, liver pain and spermatorrhoes. 
Ibn-e-Masewaih describes the white sosan as hot phlegmic 
pains of nerves and uterus are cured, Maseeh reported its 
efficacy in headache, the poultice for ulcers and wounds, 
vitiligo itch, baldness, nerve injuries and redness of skin35-37. 
Ibne Sina recommends its efficacious actions in strengthening 
the wisdom and intellect, cures head injuries skull bone 
fractures, phlegmic and hot swelling. Ibne Baitar quoted that it 
is useful in tooth ache, dyspnoea, spleenomegaly, rigidity of 
uterus, flatulence, it is abortifacient, anti tussive. The 
fermentation with sosan is benifecial in endometritis, adenitis 
and hard swelling. Antaki (1597 A.D.) states its efficacy in 
dyspnoea, asthma, thorasic pain, hydropes, jaundice, 
haemorrhoids, liver complaints, and sciatica. Its clyster is 
employed in all aforesaid disorders. Dymock (1890) reported 
that a century back it is used in asthma, cough, fever, dyspnoea 
and skin diseases38. Root of Iris ensata Thunb are reach source 
of glycosides steroids, resins, proteins, phenolic compounds 
and also tannins. Flowers of this plant also contains 
anthocyanin 5-0-glucosyltransferase (R2) and anthocyanin-
flavone e.g. malvidine 3KGaC5G, petunidine 3KGac5c, 
delphinidine 3RGac5G, petunidine(R2) . The epigeal parts of 
this plant contain mangiferin(R) and leteolin C-glycosides39. 

Reported activity of Iris ensata 

Yabuya et al., (2001): reported Malvidin and petunidin 3-(p-
coumaroyl)rhamnosyl glucoside-5-glucosides as well as 
nonacylated 3-rhamnosylglucoside-5-glucoside of these 
anthocyanidins were detected as major anthocyanins in cyanic 
flowers of Iris ensata. Enzyme extracts from flower buds of 
this plant catalyzed the transfer of the p-coumaroyl moiety 
from p-coumaroyl-CoA to both the anthocyanidin 3-
rhamnosylglucoside and 3-rhamnosylglucoside-5-glucoside to 
form the anthocyanidin 3-(p-coumaroyl) rhamnosylglucoside 
and 3-(p-coumaroyl) rhamnosylglucoside-5-glucoside, at a 
ratio of ca. 1 to 4, respectively. The activities of this enzyme 
were also examined for various cyanic and acyanic cultivars, in 
addition to the characterization of the p-
coumaroyltransferase. The sequence of acylation and 5-
glucosylation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis of this plant is 
discussed40. 

Yabuya et al., (2002): characterized Anthocyanin 5-O-
glucosyltransferase in flowers of Iris ensata containing 
malvidin and petunidin 3-(pcoumaroyl)rhamnosylglucoside-
5-glucosides as well as nonacylated 3-rhamnosylglucoside-5-
glucoside of these anthocyanidins as major anthocyanins. 
Enzyme extracts from flower buds catalyzed the transfer of 
the glucosyl moiety from UDP-glucose to the 5- position of 
anthocyanidin 3-rhamnosylglucoside to form the 
anthocyanidin 3-rhamnosylglucoside-5-glucoside, but not to 
the anthocyanidin 3-glucoside and 3-(p-
coumaroyl)rhamnosylglucoside. In addition to the 
characterization of the 5-O-glucosyltransferase, the activities 
of this enzyme were also examined for various cyanic and 

acyanic cultivars. The sequence of 5-O-glucosylation and p-
coumaroylation in the anthocyanin biosynthesis in this plant is 
discussed in detail41.  

Boltenkov and Zarembo (2005); tested the differentiation 
and morphogenetic capacity of floral organs of Iris ensata, I. 
setosa, and I. sanguinea cultured in vitro. Organogenesis 
through direct formation of shoots from explants, callogenesis, 
and floral organogenesis were demonstrated in I. ensata callus 
culture in vitro. These processes depended on the plant 
species and on the content of phytohormones in the medium. 
Adventitious shoots proved to develop on the basal part of the 
perianth tube and on the apical part of the ovary, while roots 
were not formed. Direct organogenesis was induced by the 
following phytohormones: α-naphthylacetic acid and 6-
benzylaminopurine for I. ensata and 2,4-
dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 6-benzylaminopurine for I. 
setosa and I. sanguinea; while callogenesis was induced by 2,4-
dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The obtained data indicate that 
development of adventitious structures from iris floral organs 
requires the presence of 6-benzylaminopurine in the growth 
medium42. 

Inoue et al., (2006): Characteristics such as flower form, size 
and color of outer and inner perianths, anthocyanins in outer 
perianths, size, color and fertility of pollen and self-fertility of 
diploid and tetraploid lines regenerated via protoplast culture 
of Iris fulva were examined and compared with those of the 
diploid wild line. Among these characteristics, flower forms, 
inner and outer perianth sizes of the tetraploid lines were 
noticeable, because these lines had upward flower forms and 
bigger flowers than diploid lines. Furthermore, reciprocal 
crosses between diploid or tetraploid lines of I. fulva and I. 
ensata and those of I. fulva and I. laevigata were performed. 
Three seedlings were obtained from the cross of tetraploid I. 
fulva diploid I. laevigata through embryo rescue. One of them 
was identified as the interspecific hybrid between tetraploid I. 
fulva and I. laevigata by flow cytometoric (FCM), cytological 
and molecular (RAPD) analyses. This is the first report on 
production of hybrids from these lines. I. fulva has unique 
brown flowers, and this trait could be very useful for flower 
color breeding of I. laevigata which lacks this color. Therefore, 
the hybrid of I. fulva (4) I. laevigata may be the best available 
gene source for brown color breeding of this species43. 

Yan et al., (2010): reported severe mosaic disease was 
observed on Iris ensata Thunb. in Spring 2008, in Hangzhou, 
China and it was found to be widely distributed in that region. 
Detection of viruses by electron microscopy resulted in the 
occurrence of a potyvirus in most symptomatic seedlings. 
Sequencing 1745 nucleotides of the 3 -terminal region of the 
genome of the typical viral isolate revealed that it was a new 
isolate of Iris severe mosaic potyvirus (ISMV), tentatively 
named ISMV-PHz .This strain shared high nucleotide identity 
with ISMV. Phylogenetic analysis also showed that this isolate 
clustered with iris severe mosaic potyvirus (ISMV) and onion 
yellow dwarf virus (OYDV) into a monophyletic group, and 
was closest in similarity to ISMV. The divergence of potyvirus-
infecting iris species had a higher degree of relevance with 
natural host but not with the region from which it was 
isolated. This is the first report of ISMV isolated from I. ensata 
in China44. 

Ahmad et al., (2012):  reported the extracts of dried root of 
Iris ensata Thunb were screened for their effects on 
Hypoglycmic and antihyperglycemic activities in normal 
rabbits and STZ induced diabetic rabbits. The plant root 
extracts exhibited antihyperglycaemic effect in glucose loaded 
rabbits. Oral admisntration of Iris ensata root for 21 days 
significantly reduced blood glucose level in STZ induced 
diabetic rabbits and in normal rabbits. The study reveals for 



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the first time the antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic 
activities of Iris ensata root on rabbits45. 

Wani et al., (2012): reports the antibacterial activity of 
different extracts of five different Iris plant species growing in 
Kashmir Himalayas. Water, methanol and hexane extracts of 
the rhizome of Iris croceae, Iris ensata, Iris germanica, Iris 
hookeriana and Iris kashmiriana were prepared and screened 
for phytochemical studies and antibacterial activities against 
five bacterial strains including both Gram positive and Gram 
negative. The different extracts of these species showed broad 
spectrum antibacterial activity with methanol extract showing 
highest zone of inhibition followed by hexane and aqueous 
extracts. The phytochemical analysis of the different extracts 
of these five species revealed the presence of flavonoids, 
isoflavonoids, glycosides and tannins, while as Alkaloids were 
absent in these plant species46. 

Xiao et al., (2012): reported microsatellite primers were 
developed in Iris ensata (Iridaceae) to provide polymorphic 
markers for further studies into population genetics. Thirteen 
polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from I. ensata. 
These loci were successfully amplified in two natural 
populations of I. ensata from eastern China (Longwangshan, 
Zhejiang Province) and northeastern China (Jinchuan, Jilin 
Province). There was no significant linkage disequilibrium 
found for any pair of loci. These loci contained between two 
and 12 alleles per locus across all 48 individuals of I. ensata. 
The number of alleles per locus varied from two to 10 at the 
population level and the observed and expected 
heterozygosities ranged from 0.167 to 0.958 and from 0.284 to 
0.853, respectively. These loci showed high levels of 
polymorphism and could be used to study the population 
genetic structure, genetic relationships, and phylogeography 
of I. ensata47. 

Kitahara et al., (2014): reported Six anthocyanins were 
isolated from the flowers of the Nagai line of Iris ensata 
Thunb. They were identified as petunidin and malvidin 3-O-
beta-[(4"'-Z-p-coumaroyl-alpha-rhamnopyranosyl)-(1-->6)- 
beta-glucopyranoside]-5-O-beta-glucopyranosides (1 and 3) 
and their E-forms (2 and 4), and petunidin and malvidin 3-O-
rutinoside-5-O-glucosides (5 and 6). Though the E-form of 
petunidin 3-O- [(4"'-p-coumaroylrhamnosyl)-(1-->6)-
glucoside]-5-O-glucoside has been reported, its Z-form was 
found for the first time. The presence of Z- and E-forms of 
malvidin 3-O-[(4'''-p-coumaroylrhamnosyl)- (1-->6)-
glucoside]-5-O-glucoside is also reported for the first time. 
Fifty-one cultivars of Nagai line and their wild form (I. ensata 
var. spontanea) were divided into four anthocyanin patterns, 
i.e. 1) the presence of 1-4, 2) the presence of 2 and 4, 3) the 
presence of 5 and 6, and 4) no anthocyanin48. 

Haleem et al., (2015): study was designed to standardize 
herbal drug-Irsa. Irsa (Iris ensata) belong to the family 
Iridaceae, its root is used in respiratory diseases such as 
asthma, cough, diphtheria and pneumonia. An effort has been 
made to carry out the physicochemical and phytochemical 
studies of plant. I. ensata was standardized on 
physicochemical parameters as Extractive Values: pet. Ether 
(2.9%), di-ethyl ether (4.58%), chloroform (2.20%), acetone 
(3.54%), alcoholic (10.03%), aqueous (14.13%); Solubility: 
Water (9.44 %) & Alcohol (1.16 %); Moisture contents (3.45 
%), Total Ash values (6.93%), pH of 1% (6.76) & 10% solution 
(6.16) and loss on drying (5.3%). Phytochemical Analysis 
revealed the presence of almost all the phyto-constituents in 
the test drug sample i.e. alkaloid, flavonoids, glycoside, 
carbohydrate, tannin, protein, amino acids, starch and resins38. 

Mirza et al., (2015):  reported to conduct a clinical trial for 
cervicitis management with Irsa. Irsa was given in the form of 
majoon, 10 gm in two divided doses after menses for 15 days 

for three cycles. Extract of Irsa (10ml) was prepared and used 
locally in the form of humool (pessary) OD after menses for 15 
days for three cycles. All the patients were assessed by 
subjective parameters and per speculum examination once in 
fifteen days for three cycles. Low backache was relieved in 16 
(53.3%) patients, lower abdominal pain was relieved in 21 
(72.4%) patients and dyspareunia was relieved in 12 (85.7%). 
After the completion of the treatment 9 (100%) patients had 
shown improvement in abnormal vaginal odour. Relief in 
pruritis vulvae was observed in 20 (80%) patients. Dysuria 
was relieved in 19 (86.4%) patients. All the patients i.e. 30 
(100%) complained of vaginal discharges. After the 
completion of treatment 13 (43.3%) recovered completely and 
on per speculum examination 30 (100%) patients had cervical 
discharge at the beginning of trial. After the completion of 
treatment 15 (50%) had shown improvement. Cervical swab 
culture was positive in 5 (16.7%) patients at the beginning of 
trial. After the completion of treatment 4 (80%) patients had 
shown improvement. The study revealed that the test drug is 
effective. So, the trial drug can be recommended to manage 
it49. 

Kim et al., (2016): This study was aimed to evaluate the in 
vitro effects of medicinal herb extracts (MHEs) on ruminal 
fermentation characteristics and the inhibition of protozoa to 
reduce methane production in the rumen. A fistulated Hanwoo 
was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The MHEs (T1, Veratrum 
patulum; T2, Iris ensata var. spontanea; T3, Arisaema ringens; 
T4, Carduus crispus; T5, Pueraria thunbergiana) were added 
to the in vitro fermentation bottles containing the rumen fluid 
and medium. Total volatile fatty acid (tVFA), total gas 
production, gas profiles, and the ruminal microbe 
communities were measured. The tVFA concentration was 
increased or decreased as compared to the control, and there 
was a significant (p≤0.05) difference after 24 h incubation. pH 
and ruminal disappearance of dry matter did not show 
significant difference. As the in vitro ruminal fermentation 
progressed, total gas production in added MHEs was 
increased, while the methane production was decreased 
compared to the control. In particular, Arisaema ringens 
extract led to decrease methane production by more than 
43%. In addition, the result of real-time polymerase chain 
reaction indicted that the protozoa population in all added 
MHEs decreased more than that of the control. In conclusion, 
the results of this study indicated that MHEs could have 
properties that decrease ruminal methanogenesis by 
inhibiting protozoa species and might be promising feed 
additives for ruminants50. 

Guoa and Wilson (2018):  investigated before anthesis, older 
floral organs enclose younger ones forming a bud, within 
which the shape and relative size of floral organs are largely 
determined. The floral diversity in Iris, including sepal 
ornamentation, limited development of petals or sepals in 
some species and presence of petaloid style branches in all but 
one species, provides a unique opportunity to compare organ 
development within the confined space of a bud. Using 
transverse serial sections, light microscopy and measurement 
software, we investigated floral packing geometry (relative 
size and spacial relationships of floral organs) in seven species 
focusing on five species where we studied changes across 
three developmental stages. In this study, we found that floral 
packing geometries are diverse even among species with 
similar floral organ morphologies. The “filling law” proposed 
for vegetative buds is not applicable during floral bud 
development with empty space increasing as bud size 
increased for each of the five species that were examined. 
Other key findings include the presence of space between 
anther thecae in some species, the enlargement of sepal 
outgrowths and petal margins into space between thecae, 
differences in the relative growth of anthers versus petaloid 



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style branches and the curvature of connectives, petals and 
style branches in some species. This study clarifies the 
integration of floral bud growth and illustrates a largely 
ignored yet important aspect of flower development: 
coordinated growth of floral organs within the bud51.  

Uniyal et al., (2018):  reported in this study, T. asahii was 
procured from MTCC and its sensitivity was checked against 
different solvents (Methanol, Ethanol, Acetone, and 
Chloroform) of Iris ensata, a medicinal plant. Zone of 
inhibition and MIC were evaluated using Agar well diffusion 
assay and Tube dilution broth assay. Ketoconazole and 
Nystatin B were used as positive controls. Phytochemical 
screening was done to determine the phytochemicals present 
in the plant. The methanol extract was found to be most 
effective compared to other solvent extracts and positive 
controls. Phytochemicals play a major role in this anti 
Trichosporon activity52. 

Luo et al., (2018): reported in 2016, a severe leaf spot disease 
was found on Iris ensata Thumb. in Nanjing, China. The 
symptom was elliptical, fusiform, or irregularly necrotic lesion 
surrounded by a yellow halo, from which a small-spored 
Alternaria species was isolated. The fungus was identified as 
Alternaria iridiaustralis based on morphological 
characteristics. The pathogenicity tests revealed that the 
fungus was the causal pathogen of the disease. Phylogenic 
analyses using sequences of ITS, gpd, endoPG, and RPB2 genes 
confirmed the morphological identification. This study is the 
first report of A. iridiaustralis causing leaf spots on I. ensata in 
China53. 

CONCLUSIONS 

The Iris species (Iridaceae) have long been utilized to treat 
several diseases around the globe. Interestingly, different 
species have been used in treating the same disease. As 
highlighted in the present review, the immense medicinal 
value of the Indian Iris ensata is a signal of their remarkable 
potential globally. The plant Iris ensata has rich potential to 
treat many disorders among human society. It has multiple 
ethno medicinal uses as reported by many researchers. 
Scientific reports on its enormous phyto constituents and 
pharmacological application of Iris ensata showing its wide 
range of ethno medicinal uses. Based on the above utility and 
valuation to treat certain disorders this plant should not be 
overexploited, much spread for maintaining their existence for 
coming future. 

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