Abstract

REVIEW OF LAWSONIA INERMIS (LINN.)

Rama Krishna Chakkilam*, Y. Suneetha and P. Srikanth

ABSTRACT

Lawsonia inermis L. Belongs to the Lythraceae family, generally known as Henna. it is tree species native to north Africa, L. inermis plant used all over world. It is a branched glabrous shrub or small tree, cultivated for its leaves although stem bark, roots, flowers and seeds have also been used in traditional medicine, the tree grown up to 25 feet. Henna has been used cosmetically and medicinally for over 9,000 years. Its use became popular in India because of its cooling effect in the hot Indian summer s. in the present study of anticonvulsant, anthelmintic and antibacterial activity of chloroform, ethanol and water extract of Lawsonia inermis has been carried out. Anticonvulsant activity was performed using electric shock method, anthelmintic assay using adult earth worms Eicinia fetida and antibacterial activity was determined by cup plate agar diffusion methods, antioxidant and anti diabetic activities were using albino mice. The phytochemical study of extracts shows the presence of flavonoids, tannins and coumarin. The activity may be due to these compounds; this study shows the anticonvulsant activity, anthelmintic activity and antibacterial activity anti diabetic and antioxidant activities, trypsine inhibitory activity, hepato protective activity, abortifacient activity of henna leaves. The present article summarizes review on the plant, its phytochemistry and its pharmacological activity which have been reported.

Keywords: antibacterial activity, anthelmintic, anti diabetic and anticonvulsant activity.