Abstract

PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF AN EUPHORBIAN HERB, SEBASTIANIA CHAMAELEA (L.) MUELL. ARG.

K. S. Shanthi Sree, A. Suvarna Latha, N. Yasodamma and D. Bharathi*

ABSTRACT

Sebastiania chamaelea Muell. Arg is a perennial herbal medicinal plant of family Euphorbiaceae and it is the only species of this genus represented in India. It is commonly found as forest undergrowth and also in cultivated lands. Based on folklore uses, the decoction of the plant in ghee is given as tonic and applied to the head in vertigo. Juice of the plant is astringent and is used as a remedy for syphilis and diarrhoea. Following the above folk claims for cure of vertigo, syphilis and diarrhoea, phytochemical and biological evaluation was carried out to test efficacy of the plant scientifically. Based on ethnobotanical data obtained from Nigerien and Senegalense traditional healers S.chamaelea istraditionally used to treat malaria. The studies revealed presence of various phytochemical compounds and some notable \ pharmacological activities of the plant such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, anthelmintic, antidiarrhoeal and antidiabetic activities, presented in this review such that the potential use of the plant in pharmaceutics can be evaluated. The present review is an attempt to highlight phytochemicals, pharmacolological as well as tissue culture reports on Sebastiania chamaelea Muell. Arg.

Keywords: Sebastiania chamaelea, Phytochemicals, Folklore uses, Pharmacological activity.