Purple pitcher plant

Sarracenia purpurea, commonly known as the purple pitcher plant, northern pitcher plant, turtle socks, or side-saddle flower, is a perennial carnivorous plant in the family Sarraceniaceae. Sarracenia purpurea attract and trap insects within their pitchers, or fused leaves, to consume nitrogen during the digestion process . It is widely distributed across North America and has been used as a traditional medicinal herb in many aboriginal communities . It was used as an injectable pain reliever and during the 19th century, Sarracenia purpurea was used as a treatment of smallpox . Compounds extracted from Sarracenia purpurea include phenolic glycosides, flavonoid glycosides, and iridoids. In vitro, there is evidence of glycosides potentiating glucose uptake with potential antidiabetic properties . Cytoprotection in an in vitro model of diabetic neuropathy has also been studied. However, the use of Sarracenia Purpurea extracts in the clinical setting are limited.