BOERHAVIA DIFFUSA (PUNARNAVA): A REVIEW BASED ON ITS AYURVEDIC AND MODERN THERAPEUTIC USES

Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava), is a perennial herb which is a member of Nyctaginaceae family, mainly found in tropical and sub-tropical areas. It is one of the most important medicinal herbs which has been used in traditional medicine systems since from the ancient times. The extract of each part of Boerhavia diffusa is associated with wide range of therapeutic properties which are used in the treatment of various ailments. It is utilized in various ways in different cultures. Number of phytochemical constituents are present in this medicinal herb for example punarnavine, hypoxanthine 9-L-arabinofuranoside, hentriacontane, β-sitosterol, hexacosanoic, stearic, palmitic, arachidic acids, boerhavin and boerhavic acid, arginine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid etc. Some of the therapeutic properties of Boerhavia diffusa include hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrinolytic, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, immuno-modulatory, anti-diabetic, anti-viral, anti-depressant, anti-obesity. The present review paper is focused on the Ayurvedic overview of Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava), its phytochemical constituents, associated therapeutic properties and its utilization in traditional medicinal system like Ayurveda and Folk system.