Abstract

GLORIOSA SUPERBA (L): A BRIEF REVIEW

Vishnupriya V. V.*, Fahmeeda P. P., Prajna P. P., Reshmi Rajan, Shana K. M. and E. Tamil Jothi

ABSTRACT

Gloriosa superba is also called as Malabar glory, it is a perennial creeper within the colchicaceae family, native to Africa and South-East Asia. Gloriosa superba is one of the endangered species among the medicinal plants and this plant contains two toxic alkaloids such as colchicine and gloriosine. The phytochemical investigations of Gloriosa superba plant exhibited the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids and phenolic compounds. Gloriosa superba tuber paste is externally applied for skin diseases and also this plant was used to cure many diseases like inflammatory disease, gout, ulcers and haemorrhage. It also has been used in the treatment of infertility, open wounds, snakebite, cholera, colic, kidney problems, typhus, itching, leprosy, bruises, sprains, cancer, impotence, nocturnal emission, smallpox, sexually transmitted diseases, many type of internal parasites, anthelmintic, laxative, alexiteric, acne, head lice, and labour pain.

Keywords: Gloriosa superba L, Phytoconstituents, Pharmacological action.