A phyto pharmacological review on a versatile medicinal plant: Pongamia pinnata (L.) pierre

Abstract

Medicinal plants are important in the traditional medicine and as well as in modern pharmaceutical drugs. Pongamia pinnata exhibits many pharmacological attributes. In traditional system of medicine various plant parts like leaves, stems, seeds and even whole parts are used for treatment. Traditionally the leaves, seeds and entire plant are used in the treatment of many diseases. Its uses includes Anti-ulcer, Anti-diarrhoeal, Anti-plasmodial, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-viral, Anti-bacterial, Anti-lice. This review encompasses the available literature on Pongamia pinnata with respect to its pharmacognostic characters, physicochemical parameters, synopsis of pharmacological activities and traditional uses. This attempt provides a direction towards further research.