Abstract

AN OVERVIEW ON PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES OF VITEX NEGUNDO LINN

Meril Grace Mathew* and Emily James

ABSTRACT

Vitex negundo Linn. (Verbenaceae) is a woody aromatic shrub, flourishing mainly in the Indian subcontinent. All parts of the plant especially its leaves contain numbers of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosidic irridoids, tannins and terpenes. The plant has pharmacological actions against wide spectrum of diseases in traditional system of medicines. The plant has been reported to possess potent pharmacological properties like anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-rheumatic, Hepatoprotective, antioxidant, anticonvulsant, antioxidant, anti-androgen, snake venom neutralization and anti-allergic activities. Leaf extract is employed as nervine tonic, tranquilizer and vermifuge. Roots are tonic, febrifuge, expectorant and diuretic. This review discuss about phytochemical constituents, medicinal uses and pharmacological activities of Vitex negundo Linn.

Keywords: Vitex negundo, Taxonomy. phytochemistry, anti-inflammatory, Pharmacology.