Volume :
4
Issue :
2
Abstract :
At present many chronic recurrent airway disorders are increasingly seen all over the glob. Ayurveda has described Tamaka Shvasa (Bronchial asthma) as one of such disorders. Bronchial asthma is allergic hyper responsivness of trecheo bronchial tree initiated by immunological mechanism and Katphal (Myrica esculenta, family- myricaceae) is known Ayurvedic traditionally medicine possess anti asthmatic property. Asthma affect more than 300 million people worldwide and it has been estimated that a further 100 million will be affected by 2025. Plants are always an exemplary source of drugs; in fact many of the currently available drugs were derived either directly or indirectly from them. Many experimental research proven the efficacy of Myrica esculenta as anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory properties. Myrica esculenta are widely used for preparation of Ayurvedic formulation like churnas, Asav-arishta, oils, tablets etc. The bark constitute gallic acid, myricanol, myricanone, epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, two prodelphinidin dimmers [epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate and 3- O galloylepigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin3-O-gallate], hydrolysable tannin castalagin. Prodelphinidin units with 2,3-cisconfiguration having average of 5000 mean molecular weight (Mr) were found in the higher mean molecular weight (Mr) fractions. Theterminal unit of the polymer has epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, theextender units were also known to have galloyl group at C-327.Gallic acid, lupeol, oleanolic acid and stigmasterol were evaluated by HPTLC in bark extract. Present study review information about use of myrica esculenta in bronchial asthma.