Abstract

Asparagus racemosus Wild. (fam. Asparagaceae [1]) also named as shatavari is used in Indian Ayurveda over centuries. It is also called as “herb’s queen” [2]. A. racemosus helps to balance vata and pitta, improve the reproductive and digestive health, helps in diabetes mellitus, reduce the stress levels, controls high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. It is widely used in infertility, cancer, depression, oedema, infection like bacterial or fungal, epilepsy, kidney disorders, chronic fevers, excessive heat, stomach ulcers and liver cancer, increases milk secretion in nursing mothers and regulates sexual behaviors. All the parts have pharmaceutical properties, but the stems, roots and leaves are mostly used as medicine. Its major constituents are steroidal saponins. Roots consist of Isoflavones, racemosol, polysaccharides, asparagamine, mucilage and, many vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E, Mg, P, Ca, Fe, and folic acid [3]. This article is to review the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities to understand how asparagus have potential to cure diseases.

Keywords: Asparagus; Asparagaceae; Pharmaceutical; Medicinal