scholarly journals Calotropis procera (Arka): A Tribal Herb of Utmost Significance

Author(s):  
Isha Kumari ◽  
Gitika Chaudhary

Nature has gifted humans a vast variety of medicinal plants, which are the rich source of bioactive compounds. Calotropis procera is an important medicinal plant that belongs to the family asclepiadaceae. It is commonly known as madar and milkweed plant in english and arka in hindi. It is mostly found in the tropics of asia and africa. Calotropis procera is a highly valued plant in the folk medication system. Each part of the plant is richly endowed with diverse nature of phytochemical constituents like alkaloids, proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates, saponins, terpenes, and flavonoids, etc. These phytochemicals are significantly associated with various therapeutic and pharmacological properties such as anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, antifertility, anti-diarrheal, and spasmolytic. In this review article, the therapeutic and pharmacological value of this important plant has been summarized along with its utilization in the folklore and ayurvedic medicinal system.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 323-330
Author(s):  
Manish Grover ◽  

Pistacia integerrima is an important medicinal plant belongs to the family Anacardiacea. It is commonly called as Crab’s claw in English and Shani/Shringi in Hindi. It is a single-stemmed, dioecious tree widely distributed in countries like Nepal, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Armenia, North-west and West Himalayas. The plant has significant applications in the traditional systems of medications such as Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha. In addition, the plant is also used in many folkloric cultures around the world to treat a vast array of human ailments such as diarrhoea, dysentery, fever, vomiting, skin diseases, respiratory ailments and psoriasis appetizer, hepatitis and liver related disorders. The characteristic feature of the plant is its essential oil content comprised of many important phytochemical constituents such as alpha-pinene, camphene, di-limonene, 1:8-cineol, caprylic acid, alpha-terpineol and aromadendrene. However, the plant contains many other important secondary metabolites such as steroids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins and phenols which are associated with important pharmacological activities such as anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, cardio-protective, anti-cancer, antidiarrhoeal, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant. The aim of the present study is to summarize the recent pharmacological activities of Pistacia integerrima along with its utilization in traditional medication systems


Author(s):  
Neeraj Bainsal ◽  
Pratibha Aggarwal ◽  
Kundan Singh Bora

Alstonia scholaris R.Br. commonly known as devil tree is a potential medicinal plant belongs to the family Apocynaceae. Endemic to the geographical areas like India, China and Bangladesh. From the ancient times it is an important medicinal plant containing medicinal potential viabilities to treat number of health condition such as stomach ache, diarrhea, abdominal disorders etc. using various preparations like decoctions, powders etc. Its parts can be administered for the treatment of various diseases. The morphological, organoleptic and microscopic characteristics are also established. It is reported to be rich source of alkaloids. Also, it contains chemical constituents like irioids, coumarins, sugars, oils, phenolics etc. The phytochemical constituents contained in each part are described in the present review. The plant was investigated by the scientists, researchers while performing the experiments on animals they concluded that the plant have pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antidiarreal, antitussive, antiasthmatic, immunostimulatory, antidiabetic etc. which are discussed in the article.


Author(s):  
Shailja Choudhary ◽  
Hemlata Kaurav ◽  
Gitika Chaudhary

Ferula is considered as the third largest genus of the family Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) which consists of 180-185 species. Asafoetida is defined as the oleo-resin gum extracted from the stem and rhizome of the Ferula asafetida plant. It is commonly called Hing or Devil's dung. It is a native species of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan. In Ayurveda, it is described as an analgesic agent and is mentioned in Charak Samhita. It carries a strong, tenacious and sulfurous odor. It is also used as a spice or as a condiment in various cookeries as a flavor like in curries, fresh vegetables, meat, pickles and pulses. Asafetida is distinguished as asafetida hing (hing) and asafetida (hingra). Traditionally, the plant is used to treat diseases like whooping cough, asthma, bronchitis, epilepsy, ulcer, stomachache, flatulence, bronchitis, antispasmodic, intestinal parasites, influenza and weak digestion. The main active constituents present in the Ferula asafetida plant are resins, gums and essential oils. From the reported studies it was found that the plant possesses various therapeutic and pharmacological properties like antioxidant, antimicrobial, antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antispasmodic, hypertensive, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective and antiviral properties. In this review article, attempts have been made to describe the overall plant based on its modern and traditional view.


Author(s):  
Priyanka Singh

Saffron spice also known as Crocus sativus (Saffron crocus) belongs to the family of iridaceae. Many studies have proved its potential role in disease eradication. It has been reported to possess the attributes of a sedative, an anti-asthma, an emmenagogue, an expectorant, and an adaptogenic agent. Crocin, crocetin, and safranal are the most important biochemically active ingredients that were found in different parts of the plants in varying proportions like the peels, fruits, seeds, and rind of Crocus sativus. The in vitro and in vivo studies showed that saffron has got its therapeutic implication in health management via anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, and anti-tumour activity. This review attempts to reveal the potential pharmacological properties of Crocus sativus. It also draws attention towards the use of herbs and spices in various ailments without facing the harmful side effects of chemically derived medicine.


Author(s):  
Geeta Rawat ◽  
Alka Bameta ◽  
A. K. Gaur

Urtica dioica (Stinging nettle) belonging to the family Urticaceae is a medicinal plantfound in the Himalayas region from Kashmir to Kumaon region (Uttarakhand.). In Himalayan region, this plant is used for the daily purpose as food as well as to serve animals. It contains various phytochemicals like phenolic acid, coumarins, flavanols, bioflavonoids, Flavan-3-ols etc which is used to cure many diseases like arthritis, constipation, Pulmonary, Liver, Intestine, Kidney, Diabetes, Fungal infections, anti-inflammatory, internal injury and wounds. It also has hepatoprotective activity, anti‑hyperlipidemic activity, diuretic activity, antimicrobial activity, anticancer activity. Researchers have reported about 30 species with 47 genera and 1,300 species worldwide used to treat different diseases. Medicinal plants have proved to be the “backbone” of traditional medical system which signifies that developing countries depend upon medicinal plants for therapeutic use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 232-236
Author(s):  
K Muni Raja Lakshmi ◽  
M. Kiran ◽  
K. Sai Prasanna

The present review aims for the study of phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities of some natural plants. The traditional medicinal plants have been found to acquire therapeutic activities significantly antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory antibacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant properties etc. The plant-derived constituents are majorly for the aliments of used skin disease diabetes, bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, dry cough, ulcer and fever. The antimicrobial activity of the following plants like Justicia adathoda, Lantana Camara, Acacia leucophloea, Holoptelea integrifolia, Calotropis Procera, chlorophytum tuberosum, Bombax ceiba, Bacopa monnieri, Wedelia trilobata, Jatropha gossypifolia were obtained from the extraction of either  leaves, stem or flowers by using ethanol, methanol, aqueous, petroleum ether, chloroform. The phytochemical constituents of the extract have been shown the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, cardiac glucosides tannins, proteins, carbohydrates, saponin, quinines, triterpenes, steroids, polyphenolic, volatile oil, phenols, starch sugar, amino acid, resin and organic acids. This study evidenced the possible use of the mentioned plants as a source of natural medicines which are used as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antioxidant agents. Keywords:  Medicinal plants, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidants.


Author(s):  
ISHA KUMARI ◽  
HEMLATA KAURAV ◽  
GITIKA CHAUDHARY

Medicinal plants have a very significant role in the health care system. They are served as the primary source of modern drugs. One of such important medicinal plant is Hedychium spicatum Buch-ham. which belongs to the Zingiberaceae family (ginger family). The plant is commonly known as the spiked ginger lily in English and Kuchri in Hindi and Shati in Sanskrit. It is a commercially valuable plant due to its rhizomes. This rhizomatous plant holds a significant place in Ayurveda due to its extraordinary disease-curing properties. It is mentioned as Shwasahara mahakashaya dravya in Ayurveda. It is used in many folk cultures around the world as a remedy against many diseases like diarrhoea, liver-related problems, pain, vomiting, stomachache, inflammation, nausea, headache, fever etc. It is a therapeutically important plant due to the presence of numerous important essential oils as major phytochemical constituents like 1,8-Cineole, camphene, sabinene, β-pinene, myrcene, α-phellandrene, etc. The main therapeutic properties of the plant are anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, hepatoprotective, tranquilizer, antipyretic, anti-diabetic, pediculicidal, anti-helminthic etc. The aim of the present review is to provide information related to phytochemistry, therapeutic properties, traditional uses of Hedychium spicatum in Ayurveda and folk medicinal system.


2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 086-091
Author(s):  
Ruqaya Mohammed Al-ezzy ◽  
Asmaa Sabah Ahmaed ◽  
Nidhal Mohammed Saleh ◽  
Shaymaa Hameed Al-Obaidy

Since time immemorial medicinal plants have been used in healthcare to treat different human disease. The ideals of medicinal plants are highlighted due to the utility of the common-factor approach to engage other health promoters in propagating. One of these medicinal plants is Calotropis procera which is a species of tree in the family Apocynaceae. Calotropis procera is widespread in tropical Africa, including the Indian Ocean islands and the northern parts of South Africa. The latex is toxic and can cause rash, blisters and serious inflammations in sensitive persons and it may lead to blindness. Several side effects may be caused due to ingestion large doses of latex like burning in the throat, irritation of the stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, vertigo and convulsions. This study aimed to evaluate burns healing effects and inhibitory concentration IC50 of Calotropis procera latex on cervical cancer cell line, SiHa. Cytotoxicity analysis was performed by MTT assay in addition to determine the burns healing effect of the latex by determining the day requiring to heal the burn skin of albino male mice. The results of burns healing effects declared that the burns required 12 days to heal in comparison with positive (sliver sulfadiazine) and negative control which required 16 and 18 days for healing respectively. Also, the results revealed that the IC50 of latex was 146.8 % in comparison of ambiguous percentage of normal cell line WRL68 with reduction in cancer cell viability ranging from 95.87± 0.20to 52.35 ±3.31 for 6.2 to 400 µg\ml respectively.


2019 ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Suraj Raj Adhikari ◽  
Kusum Pokhrel

Tinospora cordifolia is a perennial, climbing deciduous shrub. This plant belongs to the family Menispermaceae. A variety of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from different parts of T. cordifolia. These compounds belong to different groups such as alkaloids, steroids, diterpenoid lactones, aliphatic compounds, glycosides and polysaccharides. It is a widely used plant in Ayurvedic systems of medicine. Stem, roots and leaves are the most important parts of the plant, which are used in traditional systems of medicines. It possesses anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, anti-hyperglycemic and hepatoprotective properties. It is the important medicinal plant used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of fever, cold, diabetes, respiratory tract infections etc. This paper presents an appraisal of medicinal properties and pharmaceutical importance of Tinospora cordifolia.


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