PHYTOCHEMISTRY, MEDICINAL AND NUTRITIONAL IMPORTANCE OF ASPARAGUS RACEMOSUS

Plants possess very important phytochemical constituents and are rich in nutritional medicinal contents. Current studies were performed to review the phytochemistry, pharmaceutical value of Asparagus racemosus (shatavari). This plant contains numerous steroidal saponins, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, cyclic hydrocarbons, tannins, anthraquinones, polysaccharides, oligospirostanoside, trace minerals, derivatives dihydrophenanthrene furans essential oils. A. has shown neuroprotective, antitussive, immunomodulatory, antidepressant, nootropic, antiamnesic, antiulcer, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anticancer, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrheal, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypocholestrimic, antiurolithiatic, anti-sebum wound healing effects. It been found effective improving sperm count also used treat blood dysentery, skin problems, kidney stones, diarrhoea, epilepsy, general weakness, leucorrhoea, gynecological disorders, lactation issues teratological disorders. Its root extract is an ingredient many useful drug formulations including Abana, Diabecon, EyeCare, Geriforte, Himplasia, Lukol Renalka. roots nutrients can be orally given diary animals as food supplements increase milk production, reproduction capacity immune system. Shatavari extracts bakery products fortification milk.