A REVIEW ON LAGERSTROEMIA SPECIOSA

Lagerstroemia speciosa is commonly known as crape myrtle belonging to the Lythraceae family. Lagerstroemia speciosa or Banaba is a medicinal tree traditionally used to lower blood sugar in the body. Its high content of corosolic acid makes it an effective anti-diabetic drug. Banaba is also recommended for kidney, bladder problems and hypertension. Leaves of the species have been traditionally used over thousands of years as folkloric treatment by the native Indians and Japanese for illness, ailments particularly for lowering blood sugar levels and weight loss. The flower extracts of the species has some pharmacological properties like antioxidant and anti-microbial activities, whereas fruit extracts reported anti-nociceptive, anti-diarrhea and cytotoxic activities. Research on leaf extracts reveals that anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anti-fibrotic, anti-diabetic and xanthine oxidase inhibition, diuretic, decongestant activities and roots are applied for treating mouth ulcers. In addition to that bark is used to relieve the abdominal pains. The species also has essential metals like sodium, potassium, iron, zinc and magnesium which were clinically proved. Thus these reviews will emphasis on the phyto-constituents and biological activities of the plant which will heal and cure mankind for healthy living.