PHARMACOGNOSTIC PROFILE ANDPHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OFHelicteres isora Linn: A REVIEW

Abstract

The single use of herbal medicines, or in combination with other therapies are a prominent choice of many people as they can demonstrate advantages over chemotherapy or radiotherapy such as the reduction of side effects and efficiency for long term use. The development of many current medicines for the treatment of various diseases such as inflammation, diabetes, or cancer is primarily based on natural sources, including herbal plants. Helicteres isora Linn has been used traditionally as a folk medicine for treatment of various common diseases such as colic, constipation, diabetes, gastropathy, scabies, diarrhea, dysentery, snake bite, dog bite and inflammation. As a potential medicinal plant, many attempts have been made to identify the key bioactive compounds in H. isora and conduct invitro and in-vivo tests to investigate their potential as therapeutic agents for various diseases. 80% of world’s population relies on traditional medicines and plant extracts and the active constituents are used to meets people’s primary healthcare needs. This review focuses on compilation of pharmacognostic profile and pharmacological actions of Helicteres isora Linn plant.