Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2019) 8(2): 1359-1364 1359 Review Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2019.802.159 Review on Pharmacological Properties of Glory Lily (Gloriosa superba Linn.): An Endangered Medicinal Plant B.A. Vaishnavi 1* , Hajira Khanm 2 and H.R. Bhoomika 3 1 Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops, College of Horticulture, Hiriyur-577598, India 2 Department of Crop Physiology, GKVK, Bangalore, India 3 Department of Plantation, Spices, Medicinal and Aromatic Crops College of Horticulture, Mudigere, University of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Shivamogga-577225, Karnataka India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction Gloriosa superb Linn. is an important medicinal plant belongs to the family colchicaceae or liliaceae. In English it is commonly called as glory lily, in Kannada gowri hoo, agnishike/ akkathangiballi while, in Hindi it is called karihari. Gloriosa is a native plant of Tropical Africa and it is found growing throughout tropical India, from the North-west Himalaya to Assam and the Deccan peninsula. In Karnataka, it is commonly found growing all along the Western Ghats and it is considered as the state flower of Tamil Nadu. All parts of the plant especially the tubers & seeds contain International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 8 Number 02 (2019) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com Glory lily is an important medicinal plant which comes under endangered species among the medicinal plants. In Southern India it is called as glory lily and climbing lily-in English. Seeds and tubers contain valuable alkaloids such as colchine and colchicoside, which are having ethnobotanical and pharmacological properties to cure various diseases. The tuber is used as an antidote for snake bites, gout, rheumatism, bruises, sprains, colic and chronic ulcers, haemorrhoids, cancer, impotence, nocturnal seminal emission, leprosy and also for including labour pains and abortions. Gloriosa superba also used in wounds, skin related problems, fever, inflammation, piles, blood disorders, uterine contractions, general body toner, poisoning. Roots are acrid, anthelmintic, antipyretic, bitter, digestive, expectorant, highly poisonous and promoting expulsion of the placenta. Root paste is effective against paralysis, rheumatism, snake bite and insect bites. Hence in this article an attempt has been made to gather the more information regarding pharmacological properties of glory lily. Keywords Gloriosa superba, Chemical constituents, Traditional uses, Pharmacological activities Accepted: 12 January 2019 Available Online: 10 February 2019 Article Info