S. Venkatesh

The genus Alstonia finds a promising place in Indian systems of medicine. The different ethnic communities in India have used different species of Alstonia, mainly Alstonia scholaris in the treatment of various human ailments. Alstonia venenata R.Br. is an important ethnobotanical plant of the Apocynaceae family which is having many medicinal values. Stem bark, root bark, fruits and leaves are used by many tribal communities and also used in Ayurveda. Roots and fruits are believed to be useful for skin diseases, leprosy, cobra and other venomous bites, epilepsy, fatigue, fever, syphilis, insanity, helmenthiasis, as remedy for impure blood. The plant reported to have anti-epileptic, anti-depressant, anti-cancer, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial activities.  The phytochemical analysis revealed that the presence of secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, coumarins, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenols, anthraquinones, quinones, carbohydrates, glycosides and starch. The present review includes the updated information on medicinal values of Alstonia venenata. R. Br.