Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. - A Reviewt

Boerhaa via diffusa, commonly known as Portal-nava in Sanskrit, is a herbaceous plant and a member of Nyctaginaceae family. It is widely distributod in tropics and sub tropics. It has a long history of uses by indigenous and tribal people and in Ayurvedic medicines. In the tradition sl system of medicines, Boerhaavia deka roots have been widely used for the treatment of dyspepsia, jaundice, enlargement of spleen aid abdominal pain. It is also se as antistress agent. Root extract had antihnpatotoxic properties. Plant is also used as blood purifier, laxative, expectorant, diuretic; itoerhaaviadiffusa contains a large number of bioactive chemical compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloid steroids, triterpenoids, lipicklignins oarbohydrates, proteins and glyco-proteins. Many rotanoids have been isolated from root of this paat. These include a series ofhoeravinones. Punemavoside, a phenolic glycoside is reportedly present in root. Pharmacological activitleifl of the plant include antibacterial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antiastrogenic, antoinflametory, anticonvulsant, antistress and adaptogenic activity, immunomodulatory, diuretic, antifertility, antioxidant, antiviral, antifibrinolytic. Multiple benefits of Boerhaavia diffitsa made it a true miracle of nature, Wats CORtaill thousands of constituents and are valuable sources of new and biologically active moleculim In spite of tremendous potetlial, this plant has not, yet developed as a drug by pharmaceutical industries. The objective of this review in to show the recent advanctight the exploratioi of plant Boerhaavia diffitsa as phytotherapy and to illustrate its potential as a therapeutic agent.