Current Insight to the Uses of Rauwolfia: A Review

Abstract

Rauwolfia serpentina is an Indian medicinal plant and is a safe and effective treatment for poisonous reptiles. The plant was used by many physicians throughout India in the 1940s and then was used throughout the world in the 1950, including in the United States and Canada. It fell out of popularity when adverse side effects, including depression and cancer, become associated with it. In this review we focus on the use of Rauwolfia and treatment for many diseases, its botany, chemistry and mode of action with special emphasis on the plants role in treating high blood pressure and hypertension, and also critically examining its adverse side effects, toxicology and carcinogenicity.

Keywords: Rauwolfia serpentina, Reserpine, Indole-Alkaloids, Potent, Antihypertensive, Herbal remedy, Medicinal plant

Cite this Article

Nitin Biradar, Iswar Hazarika, Vineeth Chandy. Current Insight to the Uses of Rauwolfia: A Review. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Pharmacognosy. 2016; 3(3): 1–4p.