Asteracantha longifolia Linn: An Overview

Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees. belonging to the family Acanthaceae is known as Talmakhana in Unani and Kokilasha in Ayurveda system of medicine. It is found in India, Srilanka, Burma and Nepal. The plant contains alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, essential oil and phytosterols. It has been using in traditional systems of medicine since centuries for the treatment of diseases like low libido, premature ejaculation, ascites, jaundice and diseases of urogenital tract etc. Many pharmacological studies have been conducted on Asteracantha longifolia which proved its aphrodisiac, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and analgesic activities etc. In this review, an attempt has been made to present its phytochemical, pharmacological and other important aspects. Key words: Asteracantha longifolia, Talmakhana, aphrodisiac, Ayurveda, Unani.