International Journal of Engineering Applied Sciences and Technology, 2019 Vol. 4, Issue 3, ISSN No. 2455-2143, Pages 195-200 Published Online July 2019 in IJEAST (http://www.ijeast.com) 195 PHARMACOLOGICAL AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF MEDICINAL PLANTS Nisha Vats Department of Life Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, UP, India Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, New Delhi Pankaj Taneja Department of Life Science, Sharda University, Greater Noida, UP, India Abstract— Exploration of Medicinal plants for health benefits has wide literature. In the current short review, we have discussed the pharmacological properties with selected Medicinal plants Turmeric, Lufa, Broccoli, Green cress, Moringa, Tulsi and neem. They possess antioxidant, anitinflamatory, antidiabetic, hepato and cardioprotective as well as anticancerous properties. Therapeutic plants have been utilized for quite a long time, and various societies still depend on indigenous therapeutic plants for their essential human services needs. The different parts of these plants including leaves, flowers, stems and roots, etc have different constituents having different medicinal values. It gives brief idea about the medicinal values of the plants. I. INTRODUCTION Medicinal plants are of great demand in current scenario against artificial drugs because of their less side toxic effects and history of its beneficial properties [Kelly et al,2009]. They are known to possess pharmacological health benefits including antioxidant, antinflamatory, antidiabetic, cardioprotective and anti carcinogenic properties etc. Among them includes Turmeric, Lufa Cylindrica, Broccoli, Garden cress, Moringa, Tulsi and neem. Turmeric is an ancient spice herb which possesses hepatoprotective, antinflamatory and anticancerous activity [Agarwal et al,2007]. Lufa possesses antifungal properties [Bashal et al,2012]. Broccoli is antioxidant and cancer preventive agent [Munday et al,2008]. Lepidium or Garden Cress has antidiabetic and hypocholesterolemic activity [Adam et al,1999]. Moringa is antihypertensive and diuretic herb. [Anwar et al,2005]. Tulsi is spiritual herbal drug with antimicrobial, antifungal and anticholestrogenic profile [Gordon et al,2001]. In this review we are discussing the medicinal properties of these selected plants and health benefits. 1. TURMERIC Botanical name: Curcuma longa L. Turmeric is by and large utilized as a spice and developed all through Indian subcontinent. Turmeric plant has been utilizeas a medicine for curing of different infections. The principle synthetic compound of Turmeric is curcumin [Agarwal et al,2007]. The curcuminoids are polyphenols and are cause for the yellow shade of turmeric. Curcumin can exist in no less than two tautomeric shapes, keto and enol. Curcumin can be utilized for boron quantification (curcumin method]. In Ayurveda, the helpful properties of turmeric portrayed in Kusthagna (Anti-dermatosis), Visaghna (Anti-toxic) Kusthagna (Anti-dermatosis), Dashemani Lekhaniya (emaciating). Rhizome of Haridra (Hindi name of Turmeric) is known to have remedial properties [Mali et al,2011]. Curcumin applies anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of various distinctive molecules that assume a vital part in inflammatory. Turmeric is successful in lessening post- surgical inflammation. Turmeric anticipates atherosclerosis by lessening the formation of bloods clusters. The antioxidants in turmeric secure against atherosclerosis. A animal studies demonstrate that curcumin brings down cholesterol and triglycerides. In an investigation of atherosclerosis, mice were encouraged a standard American diet and a portion of the mice got this eating regimen in addition to turmeric blended in with their nourishment. Following four months on these weight control plans, the mice that devoured the turmeric with their sustenance had 20 percent less blockage of the supply routes than the mice bolstered the eating routine without the turmeric .In another study, rabbits were encouraged turmeric in addition to an eating regimen (intended to bring about atherosclerosis), had numerous danger variables were made strides [Ponnusamy et al,2010]. Curcumin represses the development of Helicobacter pylori, which is responsible gastric ulcers and has been connected with gastric tumors. It diminishes toxicity heavy metals like cadmium and lead, therefore proves its defensive activity to the brain. Curcumin goes about as an inhibitor for 5- lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, and glutathione S-transferase. Turmeric is an intense antioxidant. Curcumin, its fundamental dynamic constituent, is as intense and antioxidant as vitamin C, vitamin E and Beta-Carotene, therefore turmeric useful in cancer prevention action, liver protection and untimely maturing. Studies likewise demonstrate that turmeric restrains the development of a few