ABSTRACT
Aristolochia indica L. (Aristolochiaceae) is a medicinal plant widely distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean countries. Traditionally, it has been recommended for the treatment of intestinal parasite, menstrual irregularities, inflammation, ulcers, fever, dropsy as well as used as abortifacient and antidote in snake and poisonous insects bite. Despite the huge ethnomedicinal importance of the plant, health authorities around the globe considered it perilous as medicine. The plant contains aristolochic acids (AAs) which are identified as highly nephrotoxic and are known to cause aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN) which is associated with urothelial carcinoma. However, despite the well-documented warning regarding the safety of herbal remedies containing AA, these plants are still available for purchase through e-commerce. The present book chapter addresses the ethnomedicinal importance along with the continuous development in its phytoconstituents and therapeutic application. However, its toxic responses mainly on the nephrotoxic nature of AA are a widespread problem in developing countries.
