A SYSTEMIC REVIEW ON PHARMACOGNOSY, PHYTOCHEMISTRYAND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCREENING OF GUAIACUM OFFICINALE

C. Saravanan*, G. Mirunalini, S. Sandhiya and S. Sangeetha

ABSTRACT

Homeopathy, also known as homeopathic medicine, is a medical system that was developed in Germany more than 200 years. It’s based on 2 unconventional theories “like cures like” - the notion that a disease can be cured by a substance that produces similar symptoms in healthy person. Guaiacum officinale is the well known homeopathic medicine. The resin used in chronic gout and rheumatism. Aerial parts were used for anti fertility effects. Leaf, seed, twig extract has anti-cancer and anti-infective properties. Rough bark lignum-vitae were listed as an endangered species by the IUCN in 2009. It has been over exploited for its valuable wood and medicinal products. International trade of this species is restricted because of its placement in CITES appendix II. This review article is a sincere effort to put forward the medicinal importance and chemical detail about the plant.

Keywords: Guaiacum officinale, anticancer, anti fertility, anti infective, gout and rheumatism.