Plant profile, Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Ashoka (Saraca asoca (Roxb.), De. Wilde) – A Comprehensive Review.

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine in which herbal therapies were used systematically. Ashoka i.e.Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde belonging to Caesalpinaceae subfamily of the Legume is one of the indigenous plants with lots of traditional significance. The all parts of this plant are considered pharmacologically important and has especially been used to manage various gynecological disorders like menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, dysfunctional uterine bleeding. Saraca asoca has been reported to contain phytoconstituents like flavoinoids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins along with lot of pharmacological activities such as spasmogenic, oxytocic, uterotonic, anti-bacterial, anti-menorrhagic, anti-cancer, anti-esterogenic, anti-progestational, dermatoprotective, anti-mutagenic and genoprotective activities. This review describes the socio-ethnobotanical usage, different reported pharmacological actions, phytoconstituents and pharmacognostical information about Ashoka herb. The information about lacunae in improving the Pharma worth of Ashok such as lack of tissue culture techniques in Ashoka planting has been also gathered. Saraca asoca is the ideal candidate for screening of its endophytes for pharmaceutical related compounds. It is hoped that this review will provide sufficient, ideal and unique information under one umbrella and also give new direction for the researchers and pharmaceutical industry to extend the Pharma worth of this natural product.