Accentuating the prodigious significance of Eclipta alba - an inestimable medicinal plant

• Published in: Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences Vol. 26; no. 6; pp. 1259 - 1266
• Main Authors: Sidra, Sidra, Hussain, Shahzad, Malik, Farnaz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pakistan Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 01.11.2013
• Subjects: Animals; Compositae; Eclipta - chemistry; Humans; Materia medica, Vegetable; Medicinal plants; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Phytotherapy; Plant extracts; Plants, Medicinal; Properties
• ISSN: 1011-601X

Eclipta alba is a small branched perennial herb, which has been used as a traditional medicine in different countries mainly in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. The plant E. alba plays a significant role in the ayurvedic, traditional and unani systems of medicine. It is popularly known as "Bhringaraj". The herb has been known for its medicinal value and has been used as an analgesic, antimytotoxic, antihepatotoxic, antibacterial, antioxidant, antihaemorrhagic, antihyperglycemic and immunomodulatory and also recognized as a reincarnated plant. Broad range of chemical constituents have been detached from E. alba including coumestans, alkaloids, thiopenes, flavonoids, polyacetylenes, triterpenes and their glycosides. Pharmacological activities have been seen in the metabolites and extracts of this plant. Therefore this herb produces robust curative lead compounds, which would be propitious for humanity. The purpose of this review recapitulates all data related to E. alba considering its prodigious medicinal importance.