Phytochemical and Pharmacological Potential of Viola Odorata

Sweet violet also known as the Viola odorata, blooms in continental climate conditions in early spring with delicate flowers of attractive scent. It has been traditionally the part of various indigenous preparations and being used to cure respiratory and inflammatory conditions. Present review article is an attempt to cover recent developments in phytochemical and pharmacological potential of drug Viola odorata contains alkaloid, glycoside, saponins, methyl salicylate, mucilage and vitamin C. Traditionally V. odorata is worthwhile to cure Jaundice. V. odorata has showed anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antibacterial activity, hepatoprotective activity. Further investigations exploring possible use of these phytochemicals as pharmacological agents are warranted. The article reviews is an attempt to compile and documented information on different aspect of Viola odorata pharmacological properties and highlight the need for research and their potential development. INTRODUCTION: Viola odorata is a species of the genus Viola native to Europe and Asia, but has also been introduced to North America and Australasia. It is commonly known as wood violet 1 , The medicinal plant Viola odorata Linn. (Violaceae) is a popularly known as ―Banafshah‖ and sweet violet in Asia and Europe respectively. It is found in high altitudes of Himalyas, Europe and throughout North America. It is a long trailing Plant of less than 6 inches height. The Plant has thick and scaly underground stem, with rooting runners. It possesses a heart shaped leaves with scalloped or slightly serrated edges are dark green, smooth or sometimes downy underneath, and grow in a rosette at the base of plant. Flowers are deep purple or blue to pinkish or even yellow whitish 2-3 . QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(5).215-20 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpjournal.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.IJP.2(5).215-20 Sweet violet (Viola odorata L.) Grows wild in nature, in places exposed to sun, alongside hedges, river banks, on the edges of deciduous forests and in forest glades 4 . It is wide-spread all across Croatia, along with the mentioned species, lists further 19 species of the same genus. The Mediterranean is considered to be the sweet violet’s original habitat, and nowadays it ranges from the North of Europe to South Africa, Tierra del Fuego and Australia 4 . Viola odorata Linn (sweet violet) belongs to family violaceae, is an evergreen perennial herb growing about 10 cm tall. It flowers in late winter. The flowers are nodding, deep violet and sweet scented. It is distributed in Kashmir and western Himalayan regions at an altitude of 1500 to 1800 m asl, The herb is well known for its Pharmaceutical importance in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal system. It is used for treatment of whooping cough. Its drug is also anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, antipyretic and laxative. It contains salicylic acid which is used to