Abstract

PHARMACEUTICAL ATTRIBUTES OF VASA (ADHATODA VASICA LINN.)-A REVIEW

Narendra Kumar*

Abstract

The present review on Adhatoda vasica Nees belonging to family Acanthaceae, commonly known as Adosa highlights that this have a lot of uses in traditional Ayurveda and most popular for its effectiveness in treating respiratory problems. In this paper general medicinal uses and pharmacological activities of various parts of the plants have been revived. The plant as a whole along with its root, leaves, bark and flowers are extensively used to relieve cough, cold, whooping-cough, asthma and bronchitis. Principle constituents of Malabar nuts are the several alkaloids present and chief principle being quinazoline alkaloid, vasicine. A considerable difference in chemical composition is found, which may be due to their occurrence in different ecoclimatic zones and changes in edaphic factors. Attention is also focused on the pharmacological properties of which are related to their various interesting applications as antioxidant activity, anti-ulcer activity, hepatoprotective activity, bronchodilator alkaloid, useful in tamaka shwasa (asthma), abortifacient and uterotonic activity, anti-tubercular activity, anti-allergy activity, anti-diabetic activity, muscle stimulant activity, anti-ulcer activity, abortifacient and uterotonic activity, insecticidal activity, anticestodal activity and anti-helminthic agents.

Keywords: bronchodilator alkaloid, tamaka shwasa (asthma), abortifacient and uterotonic activity, anti-diabetic activity.