Abstract

The association of humans and animals with plants obviously originated with the beginning of life on earth, when plants supplied much of the shelter, oxygen, food and medicine needed by higher life forms. Overtime and with the beginning of societies, human learned to recognize and categorize plant materials suited for use in meeting the necessities of life. The use of herbs and herbal extracts for their healing powers can be traced to earliest of myths, traditions and writings used to codify those plants that can ease pain and treat diseases. India, being the treasure-house of biodiversity with its diverse ecological conditions, rich ethnic diversity and a strong traditional knowledge base, accounts for 45,000 plant species, out of which more than 8,000 species are used in some 10,000 herbal drug formulations. As per the WHO, 80% population in developing countries relies on traditional natural medicines, and almost 80% of the traditional medicines involve the use of plant extracts. Plecospermum Spinosum Trec., is one of the traditional plant grown in India as it have several phytoconstituents and pharmacological activities it is used as medicinal plant for treating disease like myocardial infarction, diabetes, cancer, cholera, cold, jaundice and tooth ache etc. Ethnobotanical survey has also reported that this plant is used for general uses. This review discusses the investigation made by various workers related to its medicinal uses, chemical constituents, and its pharmacological activities.

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