Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Ichnocarpus frutescens

Ichnocarpus frutescens R. Br. (Apocynaceae), is a woody climbing shrub, found almost in all parts of India. In India, tribes used this plant as a substitute of Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus) for the treatment of atrophy, convulsions, cough, delirium, dysentery, measles, splenomegaly, tuberculosis, tumor, diabetes as a lactogogue, antipyretic, demulcent, diaphoretic and in skin diseases. Phytochemical investigations indicate that 28 compounds reported from the plant belong to various chemical category viz. phytosterol, triterpenes, flavonoids and various other phenolic compounds. Pharmacological activities of different parts of the plant reported include antiurolithiatic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antitumor activity. In the present review the literature data on the phytochemical and biological investigations on the I. frutescens are summarized up to March 2011.