Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical And

1 kkkk kkkk Pharmacognostical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Studies on the roots of Homonoia riparia Lour.

1. BRIEF REVIEW OF THE INTENDED WORK

1.1 NEED OF THE STUDY

Plants have been one of the most important source for medicines since the beginning of human civilization1. Herbal infusion, decoction and tinctures were house-hold remedies for common ailments. Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, Western Medical Herbalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine are largely dependent on medicinal plants for preparing formulations. Herbal drug products symbolize safety in contrast to synthetics that are regarded as unsafe to humans2

The number of higher plant species on the earth is about 2,50,000; it is estimated that about 35,000-70,000 species have been used for medicinal purpose3. Herbal medicines are used to provide first line and basic health service both to people living in remote areas and even where modern medicine is available.

Medicinal plants are important for pharmacological research and drug development, not only when plants are used directly as therapeutic agent, but also as starting materials for synthesis of drugs or as models for pharmacologically active compounds4.

7.2.1 6.3.2 Diuretics are drugs which cause a net loss of sodium ions and water from the

body resulting in an increase of secretion of urine from kidney5. Diuretic herbs may be used to assist in removing fluid when used for backache, prostate, sciatica, kidney stones, bladder ache, lymphatic swelling, scalding urine, gonorrhoea, water retention and obesity.

Several plants are reported to show significant diuretic activity such as 2 Tribulus terrestris, Boerhaavia diffusa, Trichosanthes lobata, Tinospora cordifolia, Bergenia ligulata, Aerva lanata, Homonoia riparia 6.