A Detail Study of an Ethnomedicinal Plant Sarcostemma Acidum Voigt

Abstract

Sarcostemma acidum Voigt is a leafless plant of the family Apocynaceae. Plant is locally known as Somlata. It is a traditional medicinal plant used to prepare Somras. Geographically S.acidum is mainly found in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha and South India. It is mostly grown in dry rocky places. S.acidum is a shrub , more branched but no leaves. The phytochemicals present in the S.acidum are carbohydrates, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, proteins, steroids, triterpenoids, fixed oils, mucilage, gums and waxes. Ethnomedicinally the S.acidum was used in otitis, dog bite, snake bite, rabies, emesis, arthritis and leprosy. The juice of this plant having some medicinal value, so used as natural restorative for health. S.acidum stem extract inhibits spermatogenesis and reduce the sperm count. Also the extract of S.acidum shown antipsychotic effect. The result of present pharmacological study shown that the S.acidum possess Analgesic, Antipyretic and Antidiabetic effects.