Review on Glochidion velutinum Wight, (Euphorbiaceae): A medicinal plant

Abstract

Glochidion velutinum Wight., a small monoecious tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family; commonly known as Chinna usiri, Velvety melon; grows up to 9 m with flattened branches and leaves. The plant is mainly distributed in India, Burma, and Pakistan. The whole plant as well as individual parts of the plant are used traditionally to cure a variety of human ailments like diabetes, inflammation, cancer, healing of wounds, anti-diarrheal activity etc. The presence of triterpenoid, glycosides, alkaloids, proteins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, and saponins are reported to be present in the plant. Various extracts of the plant have been reported to possess antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiurolithiatic, antibacterial activity etc. There are various other activities which may be evaluated to provide scientific validity to the various ethnomedicinal claims.