Importance of Adhatoda Vasica Nees In Traditional System of Medicines: A Review

Adhatoda vasica Nees, (Family Acanthacea), commonly known as vasa or vasaka, is a well-known herbal drug in Ayurvedic, Unani and Homeopathic system of medicines. Vasaka is widespread throughout India and tropical regions of Southeastern Asia. This plant is a source of vitamin C and has other phytoconstituents with their proven medicinal value.  All parts of A. vasica are rich in alkaloids among which leaves and roots contain a bitter quinazoline alkaloid, adhatodine, vasicine, vasicinol, vasicinone, vasicinolone, vasicine and vasicinone, among which the latter two predominate. Other constituents include triterpenes, flavonoids, alkanes, steroid, daucosterol, β-sitosterol. Pharmacological properties of this plant are mainly due to vasicine, vasicinol and vasicinone. Vasicinone and vasicine are widely known for powerful bronchodilator action. The whole plant with its phytoconstituents has been studied for antiasthmatic, antitussive, antioxidant activity, hepatoprotective activity, antiulcer activity, uterotonic and abortifacient activity.