Abstract

HERBAL COSMECEUTICAL CREAM OF SHANKHPUSHPI (CONVOLVULUS PROSTRATUS): A NATURAL APPROACH TO SKIN ACNE AND WRINKLES

Ms. Bharti Roy*

ABSTRACT

One of the most significant medicinal plants utilized in ancient Indian medical systems, especially Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, is Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus prostratus Forssk.), a perennial herb in the Convolvulaceae family. It is categorized as a Medhya Rasayana, a collection of revitalizing herbs that are well-known for improving mental health, memory, and cognitive abilities. Shankhpushpi has been used for centuries to treat neurological and psychological conditions like epilepsy, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, and mental exhaustion. Growing interest in herbal remedies and natural therapies in recent years has prompted a great deal of scientific investigation to confirm their traditional claims and investigate their possible uses in contemporary medicine and cosmetics. Numerous bioactive components, such as alkaloids (Shankhpushpi and evolvine), flavonoids (kaempferol andquercetin derivatives), coumarins, phenolic compounds, phytosterols, carbohydrates, and glycosides, have been identified by phytochemical analyses of Convolvulus prostratus. The plant's various pharmacological actions, including its antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic, antibacterial, and anti-aging qualities, are attributed to these substances. Through modulation of neurotransmitter systems and decrease of oxidative stress in brain tissues, Shankhpushpi has been shown in experimental investigations to exhibit strong nootropic activity by enhancing learning ability, memory retention, and cognitive function. Shankhpushpi has demonstrated encouraging antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties in oxidative damage and inflammatory reactions. These characteristics point to its possible use in the creation of dermatological and cosmeceutical formulations intended to treat skin aging, acne, and inflammatory skin problems as well as in the prevention of neurological illnesses. Large-scale clinical research is still limited, although preliminary investigations on topical preparations using Shankhpushpi extracts have shown promising outcomes. Despite widespread traditional use and encouraging preclinical data, Shankhpushpi clinical validation and standardization continue to be significant obstacles. Its repeatability and therapeutic consistency are limited by variations in phytochemical content brought on by seasonal, regional, and processing factors. Furthermore, thorough pharmacokinetic and toxicological research is needed to determine its long-term safety and effectiveness. Future studies should therefore concentrate on developing sophisticated herbal formulations, standardizing extracts, clarifying molecular pathways, and conducting carefully planned clinical trials. The goal of this paper is to give a thorough analysis of Convolvulus prostratus botanical traits, phytochemical composition, traditional usage, pharmacological actions, safety considerations, and possibilities for the future. This paper highlights the medicinal value of Shankhpushpi and stresses its potential as a rich natural resource for the development of contemporary phytopharmaceutical and herbal cosmeceutical products by combining existing scientific and traditional knowledge.

Keywords: Convolvulus prostratus, Medhya Rasayana, Shankhpushpi, nootropic activity, antioxidants, herbal remedies, and cosmetics.