Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 7(10): October 2014 1184 ISSN 0974-3618 www.rjptonline.org REVIEW ARTICLE A Review on Medicinal Properties of Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb.ex G. Don. (Elaeocarpaceae) Gaurav Kumar 1,2 , Loganathan Karthik 1 , Kokati Venkata Bhaskara Rao 1 * 1 Molecular and Microbiology Research Laboratory, Environmental Biotechnology Division, School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu - 632 014, India 2 School of Life Sciences, Jaipur National University, Jaipur- 302025, Rajasthan, India *Corresponding Author E-mail: kokatibhaskar@yahoo.co.in ABSTRACT: Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb. (E. ganitrus) is an evergreen tree belongs to the family Elaeocarpaceae. E. ganitrus is an important medicinal plant in traditional medication system and mainly used to cure nervous system related disorders. In recent past, E. ganitrus has been extensively studied for its medicinal properties by advance scientific techniques and a variety of bioactive compounds have been isolated from the different parts of the plant and were analyzed pharmacologically. E. ganitrushas been reported to exhibit antimicrobial, antiulcerogenic and antioxidant activity, in addition the plant is reported to reduce pain and inflammation. In this review we have tried to summarize the traditional and scientific information available about the morphology, distribution, phytochemistry and medicinal properties of E. ganitrus. KEYWORDS: Elaeocarpus ganitrus Roxb., traditional medication system, antioxidant activity INTRODUCTION: Medicinal plants are certainly the most ancient source of medicine in human history, yet the lake of authentic literature to support the pharmacological potential of the plants have significantly reduced its acceptability among peoples. In last few decades, medicinal plants have been extensively evaluated for their therapeutic potentials and reported to show various medicinal properties viz, larvicidal activity, diuretic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, antibacterial activity, antifungal activity, anti-diabetic activity and hepatoprotective activity 1-7 .These reports have further supported the pharmacological potential of medicinal plants and a hope for the discovery of new drugs. E. ganitrus (Synonyms: E. sphaericus) is a large evergreen tree, commonly known as Rudraksha tree in India. Rudraksha tree is considered as a holy tree and enjoys great respect and devotion of Hindu community. Different parts of Rudraksha tree are known to show several medicinal properties in both traditional and scientific literature, which will be discussed further in this review. Received on 02.08.2014 Modified on 16.08.2014 Accepted on 19.08.2014 © RJPT All right reserved Research J. Pharm. and Tech. 7(10): Oct. 2014 Page 1184-1186 The main aim of this article is to summarize the morphology, distribution, phytochemistry and medicinal properties of E. ganitrus and its future prospects for the further scientific investigation for the development of effective therapeutic compounds Taxonomy Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Oxalidales, Family: Elaeocarpaceae, Genus: Elaeocarpus, Species: E. ganitrus Roxb. The plant E. ganitrus is an evergreen tree, grows up to 50-200 feet height. The leaves are shining green on the upper side with a dull leathery on the dorsal side. The stem of E. ganitrus is cylindrical with a gray white colour and rough textured bark. The flowers are white in colour with fringed petals. Flowers in racemes mostly from axils of fallen leaves, nodding, white, about 1cm across, anther bristled at the apex. The fruits are globular in shape, 1cm. in diameter, deep blue or mealy when ripe and contain a bead inside. The bead present inside is hard and tubercle 8 . Geographical distribution E. ganitrus is commonly grows in many countries including India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan,