Review of ethnomedicinal plant Helicteres isora Linn. and its traditional uses in India

This paper provides information on the ethnomedicinal and traditional uses of the medicinal plant Helicteres isora. Ethnomedicine has been used as a starting point in drug discovery, specifically pharmacological techniques. India has a rich tradition of plant-based knowledge of health care. A large number of plants, plant extracts, decoctions, and pastes are mostly used by tribal peoples for the treatment of various diseases. The uses of different plant parts by the local peoples in different aspects have been studied by several workers. The whole plant of Helicteres isora has excellent medicinal properties from ancient times. The parts of a plant that have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine include roots, leaves, seeds, and fruits. Different types of pharmacological activities found are antidiabetic, anticancer, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-diarrheal, hypolipidemic, hepatoprotective, brain oxidant potency, etc. Helicteres isora is a rich source of antioxidants, carbohydrates, proteins, Fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and iron. The plant also exhibits the activity of demulcent and astringent activities. Every part of the medicinal uses of Helicteres isora Linn., having the above activities. In this study, we investigated the traditional uses of Helicteres isora plants. Ethnomedicinal data were collected by using semi-structured and open-ended questionnaires. Field excursions with expert lecturers and traditional healers were carried out. Descriptive statistics were used to present data.