A Review on Biological Potential of Gmelina in Traditional Therapeutic Aspects

Abstract

Gmelina arborea Roxb (Family: Verbenaceae) is a beautiful fast growing tree distributed chiefly in South-East Asia and tropical Africa. As medicine it has been used in Ayurveda since ancient times in ulcer, diarrhoea, thirst, anaemia, leprosy, vaginal discharges, piles, fever and varieties of ailments. Till now a large number of phytoconstituents have been isolated from Gmelina arborea (Gambhari), which include lignans, flavanoids, coumarins, steroids, terpenes, fatty acids and iridoid glycosides. Various in vitro and in vivo experimental studies indicated that it possesses anti-oxidant, anti- microbial, diuretic, cardio-protective, anthelmintic, anti-ulcer, anti-diabetic, immunomodulatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic activities. Hence it appears to be a promising herbal candidate to undergo further exploration. In the present review an attempt had been made to explore the different aspects of Gambhari