Medicinal use of Coscinium fenestratum (Gaertn.) Colebr. An short review

The increasing in drug/antibiotics resistance by microorganisms finds the search for the new drugs with better results. Coscinium fenestratum considered as a critically endangered medicinal plant belongs to the family Menispermaceae. It is commonly found in Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. It is one among the families having several medicinal values from root to fruit. In the traditional medicine system, the plant has been used for treating diabetes mellitus and commonly known to be active ingredients with diverse therapeutic purposes. The stem of the plant has anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidants properties and used for curing diseases. The root of Coscinium fenestratum is considered to be a bitter tonic, used in dressing wounds, treating ulcers and used as stomachic and antiseptic. The extract of the stem is useful in snake-bites and the stem bark is useful in treating intermittent fevers. This plant is used in combination with other medicinal plants, in the traditional methods of treating herpes in coastal Karnataka, India.