ABSTRACT
Gmelina asiatica L. (Lamiaceae) commonly known as Asian bushbeech or Asiatic bushbeech berry and is an important medicinal plant. It is found in peninsular India and parts of Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Traditionally, the whole plant is used as a herbal remedy for gonorrhea, catarrh of the bladder, and as a blood purifier. The leaves, aerial parts, and roots are used for the treatment of jaundice, rheumatism, syphilis, gonorrhea, burning sensation of eyes, fever, dysuria, wounds, dandruff, diabetes, hepatic diseases, and also to reduce body heat. Phytochemical studies of the different parts of plant revealed the presence of various bioactive phytoconstituents such as carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, fats and oils, alkaloids, phytosterols, triterpenoids, furan, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, tannins, steroids, saponins, and phenolic compounds. The plant is also reported to have innumerable significant pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihyperglycemic, anti-hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, anticancer, and antimicrobial activities. The pharmacognostic standardization of G. asiatica stem has various anatomical features including epidermal cells, secondary xylem, vascular cylinder, their size, shape, structure, distribution, and orientation and it also mentioned the internal specific features of fibers, rays, 114tracheids, and calcium oxalate crystals. The objective of this chapter is to compile all the relevant published information regarding traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, pharmacognosy, and other therapeutic potential of G. asiatica. This chapter reveals this plant as potent herbal drug and remedy for many ailments.
