Abstract

MEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF ABRUS PRECATORIUS LINN. IN AYURVEDA

Yaduvanshi S.*, Mishra H. S., Agarwal Ajay, Bedar S. S., Sahu S. K. and

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Abstract

Medicinal plants are being widely used, either as a single drug or in combination with other treatments. Abrus precatorius Linn., commonly known as Gunja, belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is found commonly in China, the West Indies, South Africa, and throughout the plains of India, from the Himalayas down to southern India and Ceylon.[1] It is widely used in several Ayurvedic formulations with significant therapeutic effects. In Sushrut Samhita, its roots have been mentioned as Sthavara Visha,[2] while in Rasashastra texts, it is classified as an Upavisha.[3] Seeds of A. precatorius have also been used in therapeutics, and the purification of seeds has been considered before use for therapeutic purposes. Various biological activities have been demonstrated in A. precatorius seeds and roots in pharmacological screening studies, like anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-fungal, anti-tumour, anti-diabetic, and anti-migraine. The present paper is an attempt to validate the pharmacological properties and therapeutic uses of the plant described in ancient classical texts of Ayurveda and ethnomedicine by reverse pharmacology using evidence from studies published in indexed and peer-reviewed journals.

Keywords: Gunja, Upavisha, Ayurveda, purification.