A Review on Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Biological Potential of Gmelina Arborea Roxb (Shivan Plant)

Abstract

Gmelina arborea Roxb belonging to family Lamiaceae. It is a fast growing deciduous tree, having vast medicinal importance and is one of the ingredients of dashamoola used in Ayurveda. As Dashamoola has kapha vata hara property and is well known in treating vata vyadhi, Gmelina arborea being the member of dashamoola is also said to have similar properties. Any plant which is used medicinally requires detailed study prior to its use because for the purpose of identification of the plant, to avoid the admixture of other drugs and also for its therapeutic efficacy the present study was undertaken to lay down pharmacognostical and physicochemical standards for Gambhari leaf. Pharmacognostical study reveals Moisture content, Total ash value, water and Acid insoluble value. Extractive value and alcoholic and aqueous extract respectively. Microscopic and Macroscopic evaluations. Leaf constants like stomatal variety, stomatal index, vein islet number, vein termination variety even have been given. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of Alkaloids, Carbohydrate, coumarins, steroids, Tannins. Medicinal uses of its roots, leaves, flowers, fruit, bark, pharmacological activity The roots, fruits and the leaves of Gambhari have countless medicinal value therefore traditionally it was commonly used as anthelmintic, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, anti-aging, analgesic, diuretic, hepato-protective and antiepileptic agent. There is a lots of medicinal properties present in the Gmelina arborea plant. The present article gives all necessary information on plant. Keywords: Dashamoola, Gmelina arborea, Physico-chemical screening, Pharmacological activity, Medicinal uses.