Abstract

VALIDATION OF CLASSICAL PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF DESMODIUM GANGETICUM LINN. (SHALPARNI) THROUGH REVERSE PHARMACOLOGY

Choudhary Madhvi, Mishra H. S.* and Agarwal Ajay Kumar

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Abstract

Shalparni is an important medicinal herb mentioned in texts of Ayurveda. The botanical source of Shalparni has been recognized as Desmodium gangeticum Linn. of family Fabaceae. It is one of the constituent drugs of Laghu Panchmoola, Dashmoola and many other formulations and used as a single drug in various health conditions. In Charak Samhita it is classified in Snehopag, Shothhar and Angamarda Prashamana Mahakashay. It is also included in Agraya Dravya. Shalparni is used in many health conditions like cardiac pain, Rakta Pitta, Vaatrakta, Netraroga and paediatric conditions. It has also been screened for its pharmacological activities in various pharmacological studies and has been demonstrated to possess a wide range of biological activities like cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, anti-amnesic among others. The present paper is an attempt to validate classical therapeutic claims in perspectives of its biological activities demonstrated in pharmacological studies and published in various indexed journals and other research publications.

Keywords: Desmodium gangeticum, Shalparni, Ayurveda, Therapeutic potential.