Hemidesmus Indicus: A Review

Abstract

Natural products have served as a major source of drugs for centuries and about half of thecpharmaceuticals in use today are derived from natural products. Hemidesmus indicus, also popularly known as ‘Anantmul’ is a semi erect shrub belonging to family Asclepiadaceae is widely distributed throughout India. It is traditionally used in dysentery, diarhhoea, skin diseases, syphilis, dyspepsia, leucoderma, diuretic, blood purifier, burning of body, chronic fever and asthma. Pharmacological studies carried out with its extract and purified compounds indicate that this plant possess antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-ulcer, antimicrobial, anticancer, hypoglycemic, antithrombotic, antihyperlipidemic, otoprotective, analgesic, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities. It has been reported to possess various phytoconstituents such as hydrocarbons, glycosides, oligoglycosides, terpenoids and steroids. In the present review attempts have been made to bring in light the potential benefits and uses of this plant.