Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd): A herbal boon to women reproductive health and an overview of current research

Shatavari is known as the Queen of Herbs in our medicine. The plant Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus Willd) is used extensively in Indian systems of medicine, i.e. AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopath, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy). It is native to India, a woody climbing plant; both the rhizome and whole plant are useful as medicine in a wide range of diseases. It has been used in medicine for the reproductive health problems, lack of milk in lactating mothers, bleeding through urethra, epilepsy, hoarseness of voice, night blindness, scanty urination, erysipelas and cough etc since time immemorial. It is rich in alkaloids viz. steroidal Saponin (Shatavarin-1 to 6), Carboxylic acid, Isoflavones, Polycyclic hydrocarbons, Furan compound, Sterols, Kaempferol and some miscellaneous constituents. The main pharmacological activities observed in this study are Galactogogue, antioxidant, aphrodisiacs, antidepressant, hepatoprotective, antiemesis, anticonvulsant, antiulcer and anti-anxiety activity etc. Further research and investigation requires for its bioactivity, mechanism of action, pharmacotherapeutics, toxicity, standardization and safe use of this vital drug of Ayurveda. The present review incorporated a detailed account of the plant highlighting its medicinal uses, pharmacological activities on the experimental, preclinical toxicological study along current research potentials.