Pterospermum acerifolium Linn. : A comprehensive review with significant pharmacological activities

Abstract

Pterospermum acerifolium (Sterculiaceae) is an herb distributed throughout the world. The leaves of the plant are widely used for the treatment of diabetes and as a haemostatic in Indian proprietary medicines. The plant is documented to possess beneficial effects as antioxidant, antiulcer, anti inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycaemic and antihelmentic. It is believed to be used in inflammation, abdominal pain, ascites, cures ulcers, leprosy, constipation, urinary discharges and tumours. A scrutiny of literature revealed some notable pharmacological activities of the plant such as antidiabetic (showed the leaves extract lower the glucose level, in type 2 diabetic models in rats), antimicrobial, haemostatic, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory. The present review is an attempt to highlight the various ethnobotanical and traditional uses as well as Phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Pterospermum acerifolium.