~ 641 ~ Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2019; 8(2): 641-645 E-ISSN: 2278-4136 P-ISSN: 2349-8234 JPP 2019; 8(2): 641-645 Received: 21-01-2019 Accepted: 25-02-2019 Arvind Jantwal Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Mahendra Rana Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Amita Joshi Rana Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Jyoti Upadhyay Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Sumit Durgapal Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Correspondence Arvind Jantwal Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences Bhimtal Campus Kumaun University Nainital, Uttarakhand, India Pharmacological potential of genus Marchantia : A Review Arvind Jantwal, Mahendra Rana, Amita Joshi Rana, Jyoti Upadhyay and Sumit Durgapal Abstract Bryophytes are the second largest group of plants in the plant kingdom containing about 24000 species; they are well known to create an incredible range of biologically active compounds Marchantia is a dioecious liverwort found all over the world. It belongs to family Marchantiaceae. Marchantia has been mentioned in ancient Greek medical texts as a very useful plant, used in the prevention of infection and inflammation on open wounds. It has been used as a model system for investigating biological processes. Marchantia and liverworts are rich in flavonoid, tannins and phenolic compounds, the main constituent being Marchantian A which is an anticancer agent. This review article is an attempt to explore the pharmacological aspects of this miracle bryophyte. Context: This review focuses on the study and compilation of pharmacological and therapeutic activities of genus Marchantia. Aims: It was noted that pharmacological details related to genus Marchantia is not well documented. The present we have tried to compile information on pharmacological and therapeutic properties of genus Marchantia. Methodology: Information related to Marchantia and related species, their pharmacological properties was gathered via extensively searching scientific databases which included Elsevier, Google Scholar, PubMed, Springer etc. and other related online/offline material. Conclusions: This work congregates the botanical and pharmacological, information on Marchantia and related species. These plants have shown a huge potential in the field of medicine, and are being majorly used in treatment of hepatic disorders by various tribal communities all over the world. Studies on medicinal properties of marchantia are being carried in various laboratories regarding treatment of cancer, cardiovascular, hepatic and skin diseases. Development on new drug from marchantia is another field with a huge scope for the future. Keywords: bryophytes, liverworts, marchantia, pharmacological uses 1. Introduction Medicinal plants are being used all over the world for the treatment of ailments since ancient times, hence becoming a integral part of traditional medicinal systems at various parts of the world which basically include Ayurveda, Unani, Tibetan, Chinese and African medicine system with only a few differences on bases of culture [1] . Bryophytes contain 960 genera & 24000 species worldwide and yet they are considered insignificant for the economy. This is due to its small size and biomass. Bryophytes are used in ethno-therapeutics in India and China [2] . Although used as medicine, the use of bryophytes in research with respect to effect on human health has not been fully explored yet [3] . Bryophytes are well known to create an incredible range of biologically active compounds known to possess a typical odour, tanginess, and bitter taste, and they exhibit curious bioactivities and medicinal properties. Bryophytes are like stockroom of naturally occurring chemicals. Many of these chemicals show substantial biological activity. Investigations used to be hindered because of very little amount of plant material [4] . Despite of a long history of medicinal use by various communities throughout the world, significant utilization of bryophytes in medicines is still limited due to the lack of ethnobotanical information and scarcity of material. Harris documented the use of bryophytes as medicine in various parts of the world and compiled a list of about 150 species. According to the document bryophytes were explored medicinally by Natives of North America (28%) followed by China (27%). In India Hortus Malabaricus contains detailed account on use of bryophytes as medicine [5] . Marchantia is a common liverwort found all over the world. In the last decade extensive work has been carried out on genus Marchantia. Marchantia species have been described in ancient Greek medical texts as a plant that is useful in application on open wounds to prevent infection and inflammation. M. polymorpha is the only liverwort described in the earliest