Ethno-botanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological review of Anamirta Cocculus (Linn.). Wight and arn.

Abstract

Anamirta Cocculus (Linn.) belongs to the family Menispermaceae is commonly known as fish berry or crow killer, also known as Garalaphala in Sanskrit and kakamari in Hindi. The plant is well known for producing poisonous seeds. Anamirta Cocculus is found in Southeast Asian and Indian subcontinent. This wild medicine is being ex- ploited by human beings for several purposes including medication, hunting and fishing. In traditional Ayurvedic system of medicine in India, Anamirta Cocculus (Linn.) has been used as a (Rasayan) drug in vitiated condition of vata and kapha. This plant is also used in the treatment of bronchitis, chronic skin diseases, foul ulcers, dermato- phytosis, phthisis, inflammation, vertigo, flatulence, nocturnal epilepsy, chorea, paralysis of pharynx, leg and res- piratory center etc. It has also been suggested to possess anti inflammatory, antifungal, anthelmintic antioxidant, antimicrobial, insecticidal, germicidal, CNS actions, a nervine tonic and a best antidote to morphine poisoning. The Phytochemical screening of this plant has shown the presence of alkaloids, steroids, phenolic terpenoids, fixed oils, carbohydrates and proteins. The active constituents like picrotoxinin, picrotin, menispermine, paramenisper- mine etc., present in Anamirta Cocculus (Linn.) have been found to be responsible for the therapeutic potentials. Isolation of anticancer constituents from this plant was also reported newly and moreover, the most useful and immense medicinal values that require more exploration in all the pharmaceutical aspect.