Ayurvedic And Modern Aspects Of Sariva (Hemidesmus Indicus R. Br): An Overview

Medicinal plants are being used widely, either as single drug or in combination in health care delivery system Hemidesmus indicus R.Br, also popularly known as ‘Anantmul’in Marathi ‘Sariva’ in Sanskrit and ‘Indian sarsaparilla’ in english is a semi erect shrub belonging to family Asclepiadaceae. It is widely distributed throughout India.It contains various phytoconstituents belonging to the category glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. It is traditionally used in skin disorders, dysentery, diarhhoea, syphilis, dyspepsia, leucoderma burning sensation, chronic fever and asthma,leprosy, loss of appetite, eye diseases, epileptic disorder, dyspepsia, nutritional disorder,leucoderma ,ulcer and rheumatism and used for diuretic and blood purifier purpose. 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 also protects radiation-induced DNA damage. This review provides comprehensive and unique information regarding ayurvedic and modern aspect of sariva under one umbrella which will be helpful to researchers and pharmaceutical industries to expand the pharma worth of this wonder drug.