Saussurea Lappa

Description

Plants from the start are being used for the welfare of human and animals. About 25,000 biological active compounds are reported by different scientists. Plants itself are a complete treatment bioagent. People are still using plants and their decoction for different diseases. Saussurea lappa Clarke is the member of family Compositae. This plant is famous due to its high medical importance. The plant is commonly named as Kuth root or costus and has wide use for anticancer, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, anti-viral, anticonvulsant, antiarthritic, activities. Biologically active substance of in this plant is lactone cynaropicrin, dehydrocostus, germacrene, lappadilactone. This plant can be used to extract such bioactive compounds which can help the scientist to discover new and potential drugs. Due to such chemical composition and medicinal importance this review has been prepared for the awareness of the people to conserve their medicinal plants which can be used for potential drug discovery.

Uses:

Saussurea lappa roots have been widely suggested in inflammation-related diseases considered by chronic gastritis, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and bronchitis in traditional medicine. Generally the root powder and oil are used for the medicinal purposes particularly in Siddha The scientific proofs of their consequence are insufficient. (Akhtar and Farah) stated chemical substances exerting anthelmintic effects in animals. Costus oil, extracted from the roots, is used in the preparation of hair oil and in high feature perfumesNewly, a small number of In Vitro studies telling effects of the methanolic root extracts of Saussurea lappa on cell mediated immunity in rats. However, the toxicological effects of these preparations on individual’s general health remain yet to be discovered

It is commonly known as Costus root. It is an important medicinal plant used in Ayurveda as it is used to cure so many disorders especially in skin related diseases. The plant got the name Kushta as the drug useful in leprosy or skin diseases.