Article: HEMIDESMUS INDICUS (ANANTMOOL): A POTENTIAL TRADITIONAL PLANT WITH ANTIVENOM ACTIVITY

Article Category: Review articles

DOI: 10.7897/2277-4343.120384

Pages: 106-112

Author: Shifali Thakur, Hemlata Kaurav, Gitika Chaudhary *

Abstract: The field of Ayurvedic Science is acquiring more importance and prevalence all through the world as a result of its amazing medicinal uses. Therapeutic plants have been utilized by humankind since ancient times. According to World Health Organization, 80% of individuals depend on natural drugs for some aspect of their primary healthcare. Hemidesmus indicus (Anantmool) is a significant medicinal plant, which is described in Ayurvedic literature and current science because of the presence of its number of remedial properties. Hemidesmus indicus is locally known as Anantmool and Indian Sarsaparilla. It is an aromatic, long-rooted plant that belongs to the Apocynaceae family. The plant is widely cultivating in deciduous forests, uncultivated lands and moist hedges. The medicinal plant is used against a variety of diseases due to the presence of various phytochemicals like Hemidesmol, Resin, Glucoside, Tannin and Resin. The plant parts, roots and rhizome have been utilized for hundreds of years in Ayurvedic medication for relieving countless diseases. Many reported studies highlighted the potential pharmacological properties of H. indicus like anti-cataractous, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-cancerous, anti-diabetics, anti-venom, anti-angiogenic. The present work aims overall Ayurvedic and modern therapeutical information of Hemidesmus indicus with various reported Ayurvedic literature and scientific pharmacological studies. 

Keyword: Anantmool, Hemidesmus indicus, Anti-venom, Lupeol, Indian Sarsaparilla