DOI: 10.21276/sajp.2018.7.12.5

Pages: 488-492

Medicinal plants have been known for millennia and are highly esteemed all over the world as a rich source of therapeutic agents for the prevention of diseases and ailments. Holarrhena antidysenterica commonly known as kurci, kurchi or kutaj is being used from ancient time. Holarrhena antidysenterica (syn. H. pubescens) belonging to the family Apocynaceae, is commended for the medicinal applications of its stem bark, leaves and seeds in Ayurveda. From the past years, various phytochemical has been isolated from the plant and shown the traditional pharmacological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-diabteic, anti-oxidant, anti-urolithic and anti-inflammatory activities. Moreover, recent studies have shown the new activities viz. Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitory, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity, Anti-amnesic activity and neuroprotective activity. This review is a step to open insight for therapeutic uses for various diseases.