Martynia annua L. belongs to family Martyniaceae is an herbaceous annual plant, spread throughout India. It is commonly known as the Cat's claw or Devil’s claw. In India, traditional healers used M. annua in the treatment of epilepsy, inflammation, sore throat, burns, itching, skin affections and tuberculosis. Martynia annua L. contains alkaloids, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, anthocyanins, amino acid, steroids and phenols. This weed has been known to possess anthelmintic, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial, anti-convulsant, antifertility, antinociceptive, antioxidant, CNS depressant and wound healing activity. A wide range of chemical compounds including oleic acid, arachidic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, gentisic acid, stearic acid, pelargonidin-3,5-diglucoside, cyanidin-3-galactoside, p-hydroxy benzoic acid, apigenin, apigenin-7-oglucuronide have been isolated from this plant. The aim of this review article was to summarize the information related to botany, phytochemistry, traditional and pharmacological activity of the Martynia annua L. plant.
