A Review of Punarnava’s Pharmacological Profile Focusing on its Beneficial and Adverse Effects

Abstract

Background: Punarnava is recognized as an essential remedy because it treats a wide range of health problems. It is commonly known as a rejuvenator. Its chemical constituents are all responsible for pharmacological activity in the body in some ways. There is a lot of evidence that the leaves, stems, and roots can be used as medicine. Objective: The morphological, chemical, and pharmacological characteristics of Boerhaavia diffusa are discussed in this article. The purpose of this review is to discuss the pharmacological profile of Punarnava and its chemical elements, as well as the benefits and drawbacks of its steroidal component β-Ecdysone. Method: This article compiled information by reviewing a variety of published articles and research papers from several sources, including Research Gate, WJPRT, IJPSM, Elsevier, Taylor & Francis, Springer Nature, and The Journal of Ayurveda and Integrated Medicine. Result: It is a widely used remedy for numerous ailments among diverse cultural groups, Ayurvedic, and traditional practitioners. To some extent, it is used in a variety of formulations to treat sciatica, cancer, immunomodulation, obesity, diabetes, jaundice, inflammation, asthma, rheumatism, nephrological difficulties, ascites, anemia, and gynaecological disorders. Conclusion: Herbal medications are becoming increasingly popular nowadays. Punarnava is one of the most beneficial herbs available. More analysis is needed to investigate the impacts of each chemical ingredient in Punarnava. β-Ecdysone is a key component of Punarnava, which is both beneficial and detrimental to humans in different ways. Hence, further research is also needed to emphasize the impacts of each Punarnava chemical ingredient.