Helicteres isora L.: A Traditional Medicinal Plant

Abstract

Helicteres isora L. (Indian Screw plant) is a well-known medicinal plant widely distributed in forests of India. Traditionally it is being used in Indian System of Medicine (ISM) to cure various ailments including diarrhoea, dysentery, abdominal pains, diabetes, ulcers, intestinal parasites and hemorrhages. It is a rich source of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, antioxidants, tannins and alkaloids that exhibit therapeutic effects. It shows Pharmacological actions including anticancer, hypolipidemic, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant, antidiabetic, Brain oxidant potency, anti-inflammatory, Anti-diarrheal actions. Literature survey reveals that, workers throughout the world have carried out extensive work on the pharmacognostic, phytochemical, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antimicrobial and many other properties of the plant. In the present article, an effort is made to review the plant with its all-possible dimensions.