BISHARI BOOTI (AERVA LANATA (L.) JUSS. EX SCHULT): ETHANOMEDICINAL IMPORTANCE OF A VALUABLE PLANT FROM MOTHER NATURE

Mohd. Afsahul Kalam*, Zamal Mariyam, Sana Mobin and Bhoraniya Abdullah Ismail

ABSTRACT

Bishari Booti (Aerva lanata (L.) Juss. Ex Schult is a prostrate herb belongs to the family Amaranthaceae. It also known by the name of Gorakshaganja. It is considered one among the few plants listed as Pashanbheda. It is a traditional plant in India used for the treatment of several medical conditions like dysmenorrhea, urolithiasis, cough, intoxications, skin infections etc. On the basis of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, tannin, proteins, amino acids and carbohydrates, various pharmacological studies like anti-hyperglycaemic, lithotriptic, anthelmintic, anti-hyperlipidaemia, hepatoprotective, anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities etc. have been done. This review encompasses the morphology, chemical constituents, and pharmacological activities of Aerva lanata and available literature on the plant, which might be supportive to discover new chemical entities responsible for its claimed traditional uses.

Keywords: Bishari Booti; Gorakshaganja; Unani Medicine; Aerva lanata; Lithotriptic; Diuretic.