Naregamia alata: An endanger medicinal plant

Naregamia alata (Meliaceae) is a shrub endemic to peninsular India and is found throughout Kerala. Its herbal medicine is used for the treatment of various diseases like eczema; pruritus, scabies, jaundice, anaemia, asthama, bronchitis, arthritis, biliousness, phlegm vomiting. It is alexteric, antibacterial, depurative, antipyretic, emetic, antioxidant rich, and its methanolic extract also showed hepato-protective activity. Due to excessive exploitation for medicinal use, the plant has become rare in nature. So propagation and conservation of plant is required using the tissue culture technique. This review focuses on the botanical description, phytochemistry, nutritional studies and pharmacological properties of this plant.