PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL USES OF TEPHROSIA PURPUREA - A REVIEW

Tephrosia purpurea (Linn.) Pers (Fabaceae) is a perennial herb. In the Ayurveda system, Tephrosia purpurea is referred to as Sarwa wran vishapaha which implies that it can heal any type of wound. Tephrosia purpurea has played an important role in the traditional medicine. Thus, the modern pharmacological and clinical investigation of Tephrosia purpurea is a valuable herbal therapy that has an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral and antiulcer properties. Whole plant has been used to cure tumors, ulcers, leprosy, allergic and inflammatory conditions such as rheumatism, asthma and bronchitis. The aqueous extract of Tephrosia purpurea seeds has shown significant in vivo hypoglycemic activity in diabetic rabbits. The flavanoids isolated from the plant has been reported to have antimicrobial activity. It has also been reported to acquire hepatoprotective, mast cell stabilizing and erythrocyte membrane integrity enhancing effect in various animal models. Phytochemical investigations on Tephrosia purpurea have revealed the presence of various phytoactive constituents such as glycosides, rotenoids, isoflavones, flavanones.