Abstract

A REVIEW ON MORPHOLOGY AND CULTIVATION OF BASELLA ALBA LINN

Honey Haridas*, Fathimmatu Sadiyah, Ayshath Mahshooma K. K., Ayishath Mubashira, Ziyad Noorudheen Ahmed and Ajith Babu T. K.

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Abstract

Basella alba belongs to the family Basellaceae and commonly known as Malabar spinach, Indian spinach, Ceylon spinach and vine spinach. The ethanobotanical properties of Basella albahave been reviewed in this article. Various parts of the plant are used for treatment of the diseases as well as for different healing activities of human beings as well as animals across the globe especially in India and China. Its use has been discovered as anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, androgenic activity, antiulcer activity, cytotoxic and antibacterial activity, central nervous system (CNS) depressant activity, nephroprotective and wound healing properties, as asperient, rubefacient and for catarrhl infections. Some of the compounds available especially in the plant are basellasaponins, kaempherol, diterpenes, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, etc. Several extracts like aqueous, chloroform, ethanol and petroleum has been used for different pharmaceutical activities.

Keywords: Basella aba, Basallaceae, Malabar spinach, ethanomedicine.