Olax scandens: The Plant of The Researchers- A Review

Plants had been a source of food for human beings from the start of the evolution of mankind. Besides food, herbs served us as the source of medicines to treat ailments. Plants had been investigated for the chemical moieties that are potent in treating many diseases. With the development of science and technology, there had been various drugs, synthesized to treat diseases. But the chemicals that were synthesized had serious adverse effects and side effects. So there has been a focus on herbs and medicinal plants in search of the alternatives for synthetic drugs. In this paper, Olax scandens  had been reviewed for its Pharmacognostic, Phytochemical and Pharmacological profiles which revealed the presence of various phytoconstituents like glycosides, tannins, phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids etc. Few areas include the Himalayas and sub-Himalayan regions like northern parts of Bihar, Kumaon. The plant also grows widely in Deccan forest and the Western Ghats. The plant is native to countries like India, Srilanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Burma, Thailand, Vietnam and Java. Olax is s scandent shrub which grows to 5m height. The leaf is simple, alternate and oblong with the lanceolate surface. The inflorescence is axillary, racemose and panicle. The flowers are white, and the fruits are drupes and ovoid in shape. The plant was proven to exhibit anti-bacterial, laxative, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, antipyretic activities.