PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF RADIX RAUWOLFIA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

PHARMACY

Radix Rauwolfia, derived from the roots of rauwolfia serpentina, has gained attention in pharmacological research due to its diverse bioactive compounds and therapeutic properties. The plant is recognized for treatment, mitigation, and cure of various disorders because of the presence of various chemical constituents such as alkaloids, saponins sterols, tannins, carbohydrates, phlobatannins, phenols, flavonoids, glycosides, resins, and terpenes. The plant parts such as rhizome and root have been used since centuries in ayurvedic preparation for treating a large number of diseases such as excitement, schizophrenia, mental agitation, epilepsy, high blood pressure, traumas, anxiety, sedative insomnia and insanity. Radix rauwolfia contain more than 40 different alkaloids which belong to the indole alkaloid family. The major alkaloids are reserpiline, rescinnamine, ajmaline, ajmalicine, ajmalimine, deserpidine, serpentinine, indobine, indobinine, reserpine, rescinnamidine, serpentine, and yohimbine. Radix rauwolfia is also known for various pharmacological activity such as antiproliferative, antidiuretic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticholinergic activities. Radix rauwolfia poses wide range of pharmacological properties, the present review aims to explore in detail study of various pharmacological, phytochemical and therapeutic properties of radix rauwolfia.

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