European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A VERSATILE PLANT: NIRGUNDI (VITEX NEGUNDO LINN.) W.S.R TO ITS MEDICINAL USE AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY

Rakhi Nautiyal*, Suresh Chaubey, Meenakshi Pandey and Chityanand Tiwari

ABSTRACT

Vitex negundo (Nirgundi) belongs to family Verbenaceae is one of the very useful plant in Indian System of medicine. The Sanskrit name Nirgundi literally means ‘that which protects the body from all diseases’. The plant is referred in the Indian traditional system as ‘Sarvaroganivarini’ means, the remedy for many diseases. All parts of nirgundi plant especially its leaves contain numbers of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, phenols, flavonoids, glycosidic irridoids, tannins and terpenes. Due to these phytochemicals, Nirgundi attributed to possess pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, analgesic, antipyretic, antibacterial, larvicidal, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, anti- HIV activity, anti-eosinophilic, anti-cancer and anti-snake venom activity etc. It is a multi-purpose herb and used both for external application in the form of paste/oil etc and also for internal use in the form of powder, leaf juice extract or decoction. The present review aim to compile comprehensive information on Ayurvedic literature, pharmacognostic characteristics, phytochemical constituents, therapeutical uses and pharmacological actions of Vitex negundo Linn.

Keywords: Vitex negundo, Nirgundi, pharmacological, anti-inflammatory.