Abstract

SARACA ASOCA (ASHOKA): A REVIEW

Rasika Vilas Kulkarni*

Abstract

Ayurveda is a traditional system of medicine in which herbal therapies were used systematically. Asoka is one of the most sacred and legendry trees of India. Ashokai.e.Saraca asoca (Roxb.) Wilde belonging to Caesalpinaceae subfamily of the Legume is one of the indigenous plants with lots of traditional significance. The plant is a medium sized evergreen tree. The aim of the present review focuses on the detail botanical description, Phytochemical constituents, medicinal uses and pharmacological studies. Saraca asoca has been reported to contain phyto-constituents like flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, carbohydrates, proteins along with lot of pharmacological activities such as anti diabetic, CNS depressant, anti-antihelminthic, cardio protective, anti-bacterial, antimenorrhagic, anti hyperglycemic and anti-oxidant activities, anti-cancer activities.

Keywords: Ashoka, Saraca asoca, Phyto-chemistry, pharmacological activity, medicinal uses.