Abstract

AN PHYTOCHEMICAL OVERVIEW OF VARIOUS PARTS OF PONGAMIA PINNATA (KARANJ)

*Pankaj Khatri¹, Dr Rakesh Patel²

Abstract

Pongamia pinnata (Linn) Pierre, Synonyms:(Derris indica, Bennett, Pongamia glabra Vent, Millettia novo-guineensis Kane. and Hat.) is a medium size glabrous tree, belongs to family Fabaceae (Papilionaceae)1, popularly known as Karanj or Karanja in Hindi2. This versatile medicinal plant is the unique source of various types of chemical compounds, which are responsible of the various activities of the plant. The seeds of this plant contains saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (two monoenoic, one dienoic and two trienoic) were present in exactly the same amount. Oleic acid occurred in highest amount (42.44%), stearic (29.64%) and palmitic (18.58%) acids were the next in the quantity. On the basis of traditional systems of medicines, such as Ayurveda and Unani, the Pongamia pinnata plant is used for anti-inflammatory, anti-plasmodial, anti-nonciceptive, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-lipidperoxidative, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-ulcer, anti-hyperammonic and antioxidant activity due to the presence of important Phytoconstituents. The present paper reviews the active phytoconstituents and their analysis of various parts of Pongamia pinnata .

Keywords: Pongamia pinnata, Oleic acid, Fabaceae.