Abstract

A SCIENTIFIC REVIEW ON GLORY OF A HOLY TREE - CRATEVA RELIGIOSA

Sanjay K. Gowda, Chandra Prakash K.* and Varsha Jain B. A.

ABSTRACT

Crateva religiosa is a rare traditional herb commonly called as Varuna being worshipped from ages, have immense varied treatment potential and inculcate medicinal properties in it. The parts of the plant like Leaves, Stem Bark and Roots have been explored for many medicinal properties. The plant is enriched with phytoconstituents like Alkaloids, Glycosides, Saponins, Terpenoids, Phenols and Volatile Oils. It has been used traditionally by various Tribal Public and Rural Community to treat Kidney Stone, Hypertension, Malaria, Diabetes, Respiratory disorders, Pain, Inflammation and so on. But only a few of them have been evidenced in modern science. Traditional literature of the plant noted that the traditional and alternative medicinal healers uses and practice prescribing the formulations containing C. religiosa for various ailments. The scietrific data for the use of this plant for its Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antifungal, Antiarthritic are reported confirming its biological property. In the present study botanical aspects, folkloric applications, biological and pharmacological properties of extracts has been compiled to ease researchers for further studies in the said domain and to generate scientific data for traditional use and witness the chemical entities responsible for claimed medicinal properties of the plant.

Keywords: Crateva religiosa, Pharmacological activities, Traditional uses, Formulations.