Vasaka - A Boon to the Indian traditional system of medicine

Abstract

Adhatoda vasica (L.) (Acanthaceae) has vital medicinal roles, and it is widely used in the indigenous medicine system in India. One of the important goals of the present study is to make report on the phytochemical and different in-vitro/in-vivo pharmacological activity of plant Adhatoda vasica. This study will help to find specific bioactive compounds of vasaka, and their suitable use for human welfare. The bioactive compound vasicine have been isolated from alcoholic extract of vasica leaves using column chromatography. In this review article covered all the reported pharmacological activities of vasaka plant, and their chemical constituents. In-addition; chemical constituents of vasaka has been found active against many diseases such as antimicrobial activity, hepatoprotective, antitussive, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiulcer, anti-urolithiatic, abortifacient, thrombolytic, radio modulator, cardiovascular protection, hypoglycaemic, antitubercular, antioxidant and anticancer.