Prosopis cineraria and Its Various Therapeutic Effects with Special Reference to Diabetes : a Novel Approach

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce, commonly called ‘‘khejri’’ (synonyms: jambi, jambu, shumi, jandi) is a leguminous, multipurpose tree species distributed in the arid and semi-arid regions of India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and Arabia. Since all parts of the tree are useful, it is called ‘Kalptaru’. Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce is an important herbal plant as mentioned in ancient literature. It is used traditionally for treatment of various ailments like leprosy, dysentery, asthma, leucoderma, dyspepsia and earache etc. Pharmacological activities like analgesic, antipyretic, antihyperglycemic, antioxidant, antihypercholesterolemic, antitumor, nootropic have been reported from different plant extracts. Numerous bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids, diketones, phenolic contents, free amino acids, patulitrin, spicigerin, prosogerin A,B,C,D, lipids, b-sitosterol, sugars and vitamins have been isolated from various parts of the plant. The present study deals with various pharmacological effects of plant P. cineraria.