Abstract

THERAPEUTIC AND NEUTRACEUTICAL POTENTIAL OF ASPARAGUS ADSCENDENS ROXB. (SHWET MUSHALI): REVIEW STUDY

Singh A. K.*, Mishra H. S., Agrawal Ajay, Bedar S. S. and Chaudhary S.

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Abstract

Asparagus adscendens Roxb. is an important drug used in Indian system of Medicine. It is sub-erect or curved prickly shrub with straight spines and white tuberous roots. In Ayurveda, some scholars have considered it as botanical source of the classical drug Shwet Mushali. It is also known as Ujli Mushali, Satamuli, Hazarmuli and Safed Mushali. Its white, hairy and mucilaginous tubers are utilized as vegetable. Its roots are used for the treatment of many disease conditions like dysuria (Mutrakrichchhra), urinary problems (Prameha), general debility (Daurbalya), impotence (Klaivya), oligospermia (Shukrakshaya). It has cooling and demulcent properties and potentially efficient to control the symptoms of AIDS. Recent studies have supported its use in nervous disorder, infectious diseases and cancer. The present paper is an attempt to comprehensively review classical and contemporary texts regarding general information, pharmacological properties, therapeutic indications of the drug and relevant studies altogether.

Keywords: Asparagus adscendens, Shwet Mushali, Pharmacological properties.