A review on the pharmacological properties of Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn)

Abstract

Background: Evolvulus alsinoides (Linn) is a perennial herb found throughout India that belongs to the family of Convolvulaceae. Shankhpushpi was traditionally used in Unani and Ayurveda. Shankhpushpi was used in the Medhya Rasyana (nervine tonic) as a brain and memory tonic. Traditionally, Shankhpushpi has been used as a memory enhancer, a sedative; for antianxiety; as an antiepileptic, anthelmintic, and anticonvulsant; and against leukoderma. Aim: The objective of this review is to summarize the phytochemical constituents, traditional uses, ethnomedicinal uses, and pharmacological properties of E. alsinoides L. Materials and Methods: The articles regarding E. alsinoides L. were collected using keywords such as E. alsinoides L.; pharmacological activities and traditional usage were obtained from accredited scientific databases such as Pubmed, Nature, Wiley, Springer, and ScienceDirect. Results and Conclusion: Based on current observations, a literature review suggested that the E. alsinoides L. may possess pharmacological properties such as wound healing, hepatoprotective activity, cardioprotective property, antidiabetic activity, memory and learning, and neuroprotective activity.