Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 21(1), Jul – Aug 2013; n° 53, 314-317 ISSN 0976 – 044X International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences Review and Research Available online at www.globalresearchonline.net 314 S. Prema 1* , A. Saraswathi 2 , K. Chitra 1 , V. Gopal 3 1. Faculty of pharmacy, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai-600116, Tamil Nadu, India. 2. Director -in- Charge, Captain Srinivasa Murti Drug Research Institute for Ayurveda (CSMDRIA), (CCRAS) Arumbakkam, Chennai 600 106, Tamil Nadu, India. 3. Professor, Head of the Department and Principal, College of Pharmacy, Academic Registrar, Mother Theresa Institute of Health Sciences, A Government of Puducherry Institution, Indira nagar, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, India. * Corresponding author’s E-mail: premspharm@gmail.com Accepted on: 29-04-2013; Finalized on: 30-06-2013. ABSTRACT India is known worldwide for about 45000 plant species and many have been claimed to possess medicinal properties. Stereospermum colais are known for their diuretic, Lithotropic, expectorant, cardio tonic and aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, febrifuge, tonic, anti emetic, anti pyretic, rheumatalgia, malarial fever, wound, asthma and cough. This review describes the geographical distribution, morphology and taxonomical classification, phytochemical and biological properties of the plant. Keywords: Stereospermum colais , geographical distribution, wound healing. INTRODUCTION tereospermum colais is a large straight stemmed deciduous tree 18-30 m in height and 2.8 m in girth found throughout in moist regions of India up to an altitude of about 1200 m, chiefly in deciduous forests 1 (figure 1). In English it is known as Yellow snake tree, in Hindi it is padre and in Tamil it is Pathiri. All the parts of the tree are useful in treating many disorders. The leaves are used to treat otalgia, odantalgia, rheumatalgia, malarial fever and wounds. Decoction of the leaves is used as antipyretic and to treat chronic dyspepsia. The root is one of the important ingredients in Dasamula an Ayurvedic formulation. The roots are having bitter, astringent and acrid property. The roots are used as anodyne, appetizer, constipating, diuretic, Lithotropic, expectorant, cardio tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, anti bacterial, febrifuge tonic, anti emetic, anti pyretic. The decoction of root is used in the treatment of asthma and cough 2 . Figure 1: Stereospermum colais Tree GEOGRAPHICALDISTRIBUTION It is commonly found in India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka; in the Western Ghats- South, Central and south Maharashtra Sahyadris 2 . BOTANICALDESCRIPTION Morphology Leaves Leaves compound, imparipinnate, opposite, decussate, to 60 cm long; rachis 6-16.5 cm long, canaliculate, glabrous; leaflets 3-5 pairs, opposite with odd terminal one; petiolule 0.8-1.5 cm long, canaliculate; lamina 5-15 x 2.5- 7.5 cm, elliptic, apex caudate (acumen 1.5-4 cm long) base cuneate to asymmetric, margin entire, chartaceous, glabrous; midrib flat above; secondary nerves 8-10 pairs gradually curved; tertiary nerves weakly percurrent 2 (figure 2). Figure 2: Stereospermum colais Mabb leaves Inflorescence / Flower Flowers are brownish purple in color, yellow within, Inflorescence lax terminal panicles, petals wooly 2 (figure 3). A Review on Stereospermum colais Mabb: Bignoniaceae S Review Article