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Abstract

Herbal medicines are the synthesis of therapeutic experiences of generations of practicing physicians of indigenous systems of medicine for over hundreds of years. Herbs have stood the test of time for their safety, efficacy, cultural acceptability and lesser side effects. Pterospermum acerifolium Linn is a medicinal herb commonly known as kanakchampa belongs to family Sterculiaceae, which has since long been used in traditional system of medicine for its magical effects to cure various diseases. Traditionally the plant is used as a general tonic, anti tumor agent, analgesic and for the treatment of diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, leprosy, blood troubles, bronchitis, cough, cephalic pain, migraine and inflammation, small pox and also haemostatic and antimicrobial agent etc. whereas the plant possess beneficial effects such as anti-oxidant, Antinociceptive, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, anti inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing, Antimitotic and anticancer activity, Immunosuppressive activity, Anthelmintic activity, Antihyperlipidimic activity and osteogenic activity and many other medicinal properties. This activity of the plant possess due to the important phytochemical constituents like amino acids, sugars, alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, triterpenoids, carbohydrates and flavonoids etc. This review article attempts to highlight the available literature on Pterospermum acerifolium with respect to its ethnomedicinal and traditional uses, chemical constituents and summary of its various pharmacologic activities and clinical effects which will helpful to create interest towards future research work and may be useful in developing new formulations with more therapeutic and economical value.