Lepidagathis Keralensis: An Overview

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume VIII, Issue VII, July 2021 | ISSN 2321–2705

Lepidagathis Keralensis: An Overview

Poornima M, Alan Jacob, Dr. AjithBabu T K, Malavika T.M
Malik Deenar College of Pharmacy, Kerala, India

Abstract: Lepidagathiskeralensis family Acanthaceaeis a plant endemic to Kerala. The genus comprises about 110 species, mainly distributed in tropical and subtropical countries with 33 species in India. It is a hard prostrate shrub with woody root stalk. It is found in lateritic hills near sea coast mainly in exposed lateritic rocks. Commonly it is known as Paramullu. Previous studies showed that, plant is a rich source of many bioactive constituents and it possesses medicinal properties. Here the review designed to point out the pharmacological effect of Lepidagathiskeralensis.

Keywords: Lepidagathiskeralensis, Acanthaceae, Pharmacology

I. INTRODUCTION

Medicinal plants also called medicinal herbs. An herb can be any form of a plant or plant product, including leaves, stems, flowers, root, and seeds. An herbal medicine may be defined as a plant derived products for medicinal and health purpose. Natural products, mainly plant have been used for the treatment of various disease for thousands of years. The secondary metabolites produced by the plants are responsible for the biological activity of the plant and used synthesis of different drugs. According to WHO, 80% of the people are depends on medicinal herb as a primary health care system. Drugs of natural origin can be safe, cost effective, easily available and more potent. [1, 2]
Lepidagathis genus represented by 100 of species widely spread in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa.Lepidagathiskeralensis(Acanthaceae) is less explored plant for research studies. The family known to contain bio-active components likes cytotoxic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and insecticidal properties. The plant had many medicinal properties. The spines of the plant used by Paniya tribes for digestive disorders. The plant is also used for kidney stone, asthma, chest pain, blood purifieretc.The major isolated chemical constituents of the genus include essential oils, sesquiterpenes, flavanoids, phenolics, alkaloids, inorganic minerals and saponins. [3,4]

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