A Review on Pharmacological Activities and Medicinal Properties of Vitex negundo

Abstract

Vitex negundo which belongs to Verbenaceae family is a commonly used plant in both Ayurveda and traditional medicine system in Sri Lanka. It is also known as the 'Nika' in sinhala and 'Nirgundi' in sanskrit. This review aims to provide an overview on Pharmacological activities and medicinal properties of Vitex negundo. The information is collected from authentic Ayurveda texts, scientific journals and electronic media. According to Ayurvedic texts, leaves and roots of Vitex negundo are mostly used. According to Ayurveda pharmacological properties of Vitex negundo tikta, katu and kashaya in rasa, laghu and ruksha in guna, ushna in veerya and katu in vipaka exist. Other medicinal properties are kaphavatahara, shothahara, vrunashodhana, vrunaropana, keshya, janthugna, medya, kasahara, kushtagna, kandugna, jwaragna, balya, rasayana and chakshusya. Therapeutically it can be used for fever, ear diseases, skin diseases, diseases of the genito- urinary system and diseases of the respiratory system. Anti-inflammatory activity, Pain suppressing activity, Anti-histamine activity, Membrane stabilising activity, Antioxidant activity, Antiitching activity, Anti-nephrotoxic activity, Antiradical and Anti- lipoperoxidative effects, Anxiolytic effect, Alphaamylase inhibitory activity, Larvicidal activity, Anticonulsant activity, Anti-nociceptive activity. Anti-bacterial activity and Anti- microbial activity of Vitex negundo have been scientifically proven. The present review attempts to encompass an up to date comprehensive literature analysis on Vitex negundo with respect to its pharmacological activities and medicinal properties.