Therapeutic Potential of Hemidesmus Indicus

The present study investigates the phytochemical constitution and therapeutic potential of aqueous extract of H.indicus leaves. Hemidesmus indicus, commonly known as Indian sarsaparilla, is an Indian medicinal plant renowned for its medicinal value. It is a twining, semi-erect shrub that grows in mesophilic to semi-dry conditions at an altitude of 600m. The plant contains various bioactive compounds which accounts for its therapeutic properties. Extracts of the plant exhibits significant pharmacological properties like anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective effects, wound healing activity, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-microbial, and many more. Qualitative and quantitative studies indicate the presence of phytochemical compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols and terpenoids. The leaf extract showed significant anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity than that of standard. The anti-diabetic and anti-ulcer activities are maximum at the lowest concentration; however, the anti-microbial activity was not found on the extract. Wound healing activity was most significant at highest concentration (500 µg/ml). The extract also portrays notable hepatoprotective effects, with the lowest concentration exhibiting greater cell viability.