Historically plants have played an important role in medicine. Medicinal herbs are moving from fringe to mainstream use with a greater number of people seeking remedies. Through observation and experimentation, human beings have learnt that plants promote health. The use of these herbal remedies is not only cost effective but also safe and almost free from serious side effects. The genus Symplocos has been reviewed for its chemical constituents and biological activities including traditional importance of some common species. Symplocos paniculata is an evergreen Ayurvedic plant, with wide range of ethno medicinal uses including treatment for dysentery, bowel complaints, inflammations, snake bites, vaginal discharges and miscarriages. From various literatures the crude extracts of S. paniculata possess different kinds of biological functions studied by researchers through phytochemical, pharmacological and biochemical investigations.
K e y w o r d sBiological activity Chemical constituents Medicinal plant Symplocos paniculata