Abstract

A REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOGNOSTICAL PROFILE OF HORSE GRAM

T. Sampath Kumar*, P. Muthusamy, R. Radha and K. Ilango

Abstract

Horse gram is a well known, inexpensive, underutilized source of nutrients like protein, calcium and iron. It is one of the major human nutrients and contains rich source of carbohydrate, fat, protein, vitamins and minerals. Other than its nutritional constituents it has some other nutritive bioactive substances. Macrotyloma uniflorum contains major bioactive constituents are acids like phenolic acid, phyticacid, proteinease enzymatic inhibitors have significant metabolic and physiological effects. It is mentioned in the alternative/old medicinal systems as horse gram and is very useful in treating kidney stones, weight loss, diabetes, cold, fever, cholesterol, throat infection, piles etc. mainly for the patients of jaundice and water retention. Used in weight loss diet and also because of rich in proteins(20%), because of low acceptable taste and flavor of cooked products it is used only by the farming community and low income peoples, and called as under utilized, less expensive nutritional plant.

Keywords: Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phytoconstituents, Hyperglycemic activity.