Zarzaparrilla india

Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): A Comprehensive Reference

1. Identity, Taxonomy, and Botanical Description

Scientific Name and Classification

Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult. is the accepted scientific name, known in English as Indian sarsaparilla, country sarsaparilla, and false sarsaparilla. In Sanskrit it bears numerous synonyms including Anantmula, Dhavalasariva, Gopa, Gopakanya, Gopabandhu, Gopavalli, Gopi, Karala, Krishodari, Lata, Nagajihva, Sariva, Sugandha, and Shgandhi; in Hindi it is called Magrabu and Hindisalsa. In regional Indian languages, it is further known as Anantmul in Assamese and Bengali; Anantvel and Upalsari in Gujarati; Upalsan in Marathi; Nannari, Naruninti, Narunenti, and Narunari in Malayalam; Namdaberu and Sogadaberu in Kannada; Nannari in Tamil; and Sugandhipala in Telugu.

The plant is taxonomically distinct from "true" sarsaparilla (Smilax febrifuga, family Smilacaceae). H. indicus, earlier placed in the family Asclepiadaceae, is now placed in the family Apocynaceae following phylogenetic classifications. The root is used as a substitute for sarsaparilla (the dried root of tropical Smilax species), and should be distinguished from Mexican sarsaparilla Smilax aristolochiifolia Mill. and Jamaican sarsaparilla Smilax ornata Hook.f.

Morphology and Natural Habitat

Hemidesmus indicus is a species of plant found in South Asia. It occurs over the greater part of India, from the upper Gangetic plain eastwards to Assam and in some places in central, western, and South India. The plant is native to India and is found primarily in South Asian countries including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Maldives, Iran, and the Moluccas. It has been found mostly throughout India from the Indo-Gangetic plains, eastern parts up to Assam, and across Southern India in mesophytic and semi-dry environments. It grows in moistened deciduous woods, shrubs, and deteriorated areas with untamed soils, and is usually cultivated at an altitude of 600 m.

It is a slender, twining, sometimes prostrate or semi-erect climber. Roots are woody and aromatic. The stem is numerous, slender, terete, and thickened at the nodes. The leaves are opposite, short-petioled, very variable, and elliptic-oblong to linear-lanceolate. Indian sarsaparilla produces small, greenish-purple flowers arranged in axillary clusters. The flowers are greenish outside and purplish inside, crowded in sub-sessile axillary cymes.

Part Used

The roots of Hemidesmus indicus are the primary medicinal part, and they contain various bioactive compounds. The H. indicus plant is rich in phytochemicals that have positive benefits. The primary elements necessary for pharmacological effects are thought to be in the roots.

2. Traditional and Historical Use

Ayurvedic and Indian Folk Medicine

Hemidesmus indicus has been revered for its medicinal properties for nearly a thousand years in Indian traditional medicine (Ayurveda), where it is commonly known as Indian sarsaparilla, Anantamool, or Sariva. It is used as a vital herb for healing many ailments and is considered a magical spiritual dream herb in Ayurvedic medication. In Sanskrit, it is known as Anantamul or Sariva, meaning "eternal root" — a symbol of longevity and purification, which aptly reflects its role in traditional medicinal practices.

It has traditionally been used for treating snakebites, scorpion stings, diabetes, urinary diseases, dyspnea, menorrhagia, oligospermia, anorexia, fever, abdominal colic and pain, dysentery, diarrhea, cough, rheumatism, headache, inflammation, pyrosis, skin diseases, leprosy, sexually transmitted diseases, and cancer. In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of bone-loss, low body weight, fever, stress, topical wound, and psoriasis. Ayurvedic literature also depicts its use as anti-atherogenic, anti-spasmodic, memory-enhancing, immunopotentiating, and anti-inflammatory agent.

H. indicus has long been used as a folk medicine and found to be an important ingredient in Ayurvedic and Unani preparations. The root is described as sweet, cooling, and demulcent, used as a tonic, diuretic, and aphrodisiac. The whole root and root-bark are indicated for syphilis, leucoderma, hemicrania, rheumatism, and several liver and kidney disorders. Powdered root mixed with cow's milk was used to treat scanty and highly coloured urine as a popular folk remedy.

H. indicus is classified as a Rasayana herb in Ayurveda, known for its rejuvenating and longevity-promoting properties. It is one of the Rasayana plants of Ayurveda. It is also employed as a blood purifier, appetite stimulant, and general health tonic.

Unani and Other South Asian Traditions

H. indicus is a key ingredient in folk medicine and several Ayurveda and Unani formulations. The plant continues to be used as a traditional remedy for dysentery and diarrhea, infections, skin disease, menorrhagia, post-partum recovery, nephritic complaints, diabetes, stomach-ache, gastrointestinal disorders, jaundice, fever, cough, headache, pain, inflammation, edema, mouth sores, toothache, gonorrhea, syphilis, impotence, snakebite, scorpion sting, leucoderma, psoriasis, and rheumatism. It is also used as a blood purifier, body coolant, and appetizer, as well as a health and vitality promoter.

Traditional Preparations

Traditional preparation of Hemidesmus calls for the roots of the plant to be dried and ground into a fine powder, which is then either mixed with other medicinal herbs to make salves and balms, or steeped in warm water and then ingested as a tea. It is administered in the form of powder, infusion, or decoction, as well as syrup.

About 46 Ayurvedic formulations contain H. indicus alone or in combination with other herbal ingredients. Dhanwamthara Taila, Pinda Taila, Amrithadi Enna, Gandha Taila, Triphaladi Taila, Neelidaladi Taila, Chandanadi Taila, Anuthaila, and Aswagandhadi Yamaka are some of the Ayurvedic topical preparations containing H. indicus.

Hemidesmus indicus is used to make beverages like nannari sharbat and is used in traditional medicine. In southern states of India (particularly Tamil Nadu), the pickled roots are also served along with rice dishes. Extracts from the root are used as a coolant and blood-purifier, and are used in many other forms, especially as refreshing syrup with sugar and a dash of lemon (sharbat), served at most small refreshment shops in South India.

Root extracts of H. indicus are traditionally used in the southern part of India as a natural fragrance for aromatherapy. Ayurvedic practitioners have used hemidesmus root to promote a calm and tranquil state of mind, to maintain mental clarity while falling asleep, and to achieve lucidity while dreaming.

3. Key Constituents and Phytochemistry

Primary Bioactive Markers

The major component of the essential oil of the roots is the fragrant phenolic compound 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (MBALD), a positional isomer of vanillin. This compound is found in the root extracts and is the active principle of the plant's characteristic fragrance. Other key phenolic acids identified include 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (HMBA), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde (isovanillin), and 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (vanillin).

The roots of H. indicus contain hexatriacontane, lupeol, its octacosanoate, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, its acetate, and sitosterol. The plant also contains coumarino-lignoids hemidesminine, hemidesmin I and hemidesmin II, and six pentacyclic triterpenes including two oleanenes and three ursenes.

Full Phytochemical Profile

Phytochemical investigations from roots report the presence of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, hexa-tricostate acid, lupeol acetate, β-amyrin acetate, lupeol-1-octacosanol, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids, lignins, phenolic compounds, tannins, cardiac glycosides, insulins, carbohydrates, and proteins.

Additional compounds documented across the plant include 2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, lupeol, ledol, nerolidol, linalyl acetate, dihydrocarvyl acetate, cis-caryophyllene, isocaryophyllene, β-selinene, dodecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, camphor, borneol, dehydrolupanyl-3-acetate, dehydrolupeol acetate, 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde, hexatriacontane, lupeol octacosanoate, β-amyrin acetate, lupeol acetate, α-amyrin, β-amyrin, sitosterol, hemidesmin-1, hemidesmin-2, hemidesminine, phytosterols, triterpenes, saponin, resin acid, tannins, tetracyclic triterpene alcohols, fatty acids, glycosides, 16-dehydropregnenolone, a pregnane ester diglycoside (desinine), indicine, hemidine, and rutin.

Over 40 minor components have been found in the oil obtained from H. indicus roots after GC-MS analysis. Among these, isocaryophyllene (0.1%), linalyl acetate (0.2%), nerolidol (1.2%), salicylaldehyde (0.1%), borneol (0.3%), and dihydrocarvyl acetate (0.1%) are significant aromatic and bioactive components.

Mechanism-Relevant Properties of Key Compounds

Root extracts of H. indicus contain MBALD, which has shown inhibitory potential against the biphenolase activity of tyrosinase. MBALD was shown to be more potent than vanillin in inhibiting monophenolase activity.

Many natural compounds such as pentacyclic triterpenes are a promising class of HIV-1 inhibitors. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene, has been shown to inhibit the HIV-1 reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H function. By virtue of its numerous active metabolites, H. indicus was able to inhibit not only the RT-associated RNase H function, but also the HIV-1 RT-associated RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity and the cellular α-glucosidase.

H. indicus has anti-inflammatory action through cell membrane stabilization and prevention of protein denaturation. Bioactive fractions are able to modulate key biochemical processes and act as an inducer for phase II xenobiotic metabolism such as GST activity and levels of GSH — regulators of oxidative stress in cancer cells.

4. Scientific Evidence by Area of Use

4.1 Antioxidant Activity

H. indicus's anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, renoprotective, neuroprotective, and immunomodulatory properties have been investigated in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies. Among these, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was well documented.

A PubMed-indexed study evaluated the antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of H. indicus root bark in several in vitro and ex vivo models. Preliminary phytochemical analysis and TLC fingerprint profiles were established. The in vitro and ex vivo antioxidant potential was evaluated in different systems including radical scavenging activity by DPPH reduction, superoxide radical scavenging activity in riboflavin/light/NBT system, nitric oxide radical scavenging activity in a sodium nitroprusside/Greiss reagent system, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation induced by iron-ADP-ascorbate in liver homogenate and phenylhydrazine-induced haemolysis in erythrocyte membrane stabilization study. All of this research is preclinical only; no controlled human clinical trials on antioxidant outcomes have been published.

4.2 Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Activity

The chemical compounds of H. indicus demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties in both acute and subacute inflammation, as evidenced by their ability to significantly inhibit inflammation induced by carrageenan, bradykinin, and 5-hydroxytryptamine in rats. The extract exhibited lower activity compared to phenylbutazone.

Methanolic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus root at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg orally were tested in carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema and brewer's yeast-induced pyrexia in rats to assess anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities. The extract caused a significant (p<0.05–0.001) dose-dependent reduction in inflammation and fever induced by different agents, suggesting that the anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects may be mediated in part through secondary metabolites. These results are from animal models and have not been replicated in human clinical trials.

4.3 Anticancer and Antileukemic Activity

Research published in PMC (PLoS ONE, 2011) was designed to explore the potential antileukemic properties of Hemidesmus indicus with a view to contributing to further development of botanical drugs. Hemidesmus was submitted to an extensive in vitro preclinical evaluation, using a variety of cellular assays, flow cytometry, and phytochemical screening across different leukemic cell lines.

Since a key event in the antileukemic activity of Hemidesmus was intracellular calcium ion rises, the researchers explored the underlying mechanisms through the use of different inhibitors. The study also tested Hemidesmus on cells isolated from acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

A further study (PMC, Scientific Reports, 2019) studied the mechanisms underlying the pro-apoptotic activity of a standardized decoction of Hemidesmus indicus and explored its inhibition of proteasome activity in human leukemia cells. Researchers additionally tested the cytotoxicity of some H. indicus phytochemicals on leukemia cells and their intestinal absorption on a human intestinal epithelium model. A potent antileukemic effect was observed, imputable to the modulation of different critical targets at protein and mRNA levels and the reduction of 26S proteasome expression. Some phytomarkers of the decoction passed through an enterocyte monolayer model.

Hemidesmus indicus was also shown to induce immunogenic cell death in human colorectal cancer cells, as reported in the journal Oncotarget (2018). As a cytotoxic agent against HeLa cells, bioactive fractions can be optimised as a drug lead in cancer with proper structural optimisation.

Evidence strength: Further in vivo studies are essential along with clinical trials for drug lead optimisation. All cancer-related evidence to date is in vitro (cell lines) or from cells obtained from AML patients tested ex vivo; no human clinical trials have been conducted or reported.

4.4 Antidiabetic (Hypoglycemic) Activity

A study published via PubMed (PMC2772005) evaluated the antidiabetic activity of an aqueous extract of the roots of Hemidesmus indicus on blood glucose, serum electrolytes, serum marker enzymes, liver microsomal P-450 enzymes, and lipid peroxidation in the liver and kidney of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The effect of the extract on blood glucose was studied with fed, fasted, and glucose-loaded diabetic and non-diabetic rat models. The extract restored concentrations of electrolytes, glucose metabolizing enzymes, hepatic microsomal protein, and hepatic cytochrome P-450-dependent mono-oxygenase enzyme systems to near-normal levels and also corrected related metabolic alterations. H. indicus administration also decreased liver and kidney lipid peroxidation products. On the basis of these findings, H. indicus could potentially be used as an antidiabetic and antioxidant agent for the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The antidiabetic potential of Hemidesmus indicus is not yet fully unraveled. Research has aimed to evaluate the inhibitory tendency of root extract against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes, to identify secondary metabolites using HR-LCMS, and to utilize molecular docking and dynamics modelling to predict the most potent phytochemicals for inhibition. Evidence strength: All antidiabetic evidence is from animal models (alloxan- and streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats) and molecular docking studies. No human clinical trials have been reported.

4.5 Hepatoprotective Activity

A study published in Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters (2008) examined the effects of an ethanolic root extract of H. indicus on experimental liver damage, evaluating its hepatoprotective effects against hepatotoxicity induced in rats by ethanol at a dosage of 5 g/kg body weight for 60 days. The H. indicus root extract was given at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for the last 30 days of the experiment.

Methanolic root extract of Hemidesmus indicus (500 mg/kg, orally) showed a remarkable hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity. Oral treatment with the ethanol extract of Hemidesmus indicus roots (100 mg/kg, for 15 days) significantly prevented rifampicin- and isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Evidence strength: Evidence is from animal models only. No human clinical trials exist for hepatoprotection.

4.6 Antivenom Activity

Lupeol acetate isolated from the root extract of Indian sarsaparilla was studied for neutralisation of Daboia russellii (Russell's viper) and Naja kaouthia venom, as reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology (2006). Tribal healers in the Western Ghats have been documented using Hemidesmus as a cure for snakebites and general debility. Evidence strength: Antivenom activity is supported by in vitro and animal research, consistent with traditional uses. No human trials exist.

4.7 Anti-HIV Activity

Researchers investigated the anti-HIV-1 activity of Hemidesmus indicus, an Ayurveda medicinal plant containing Lupeol. Results supported the potential of this plant as a valuable multitarget active drug source. By virtue of its numerous active metabolites, H. indicus was able to inhibit not only the RT-associated RNase H function, but also the HIV-1 RT-associated RNA-dependent DNA polymerase activity and the cellular α-glucosidase. This research, published in a PubMed-indexed journal (2017), is entirely in vitro and molecular in nature. No clinical data in HIV-positive patients exist.

4.8 Antimicrobial Activity

The antimicrobial properties of H. indicus have been investigated in numerous in vivo and in vitro studies, and among all the pharmacological properties investigated, the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity was most well documented. Research has included studies against uropathogens and against Salmonella typhimurium. Methanolic crude extract (MHI) and methanolic extract (ME1) from the crude of H. indicus root showed reduced inflammatory activity induced by Salmonella typhimurium, with the extract inhibiting type three secretory proteins encoded by SPI-1 (involved in invasion and enteritis) and SPI-2 (involved in intracellular survival). Evidence is limited to in vitro and animal studies.

4.9 Gastrointestinal Activity

Hemidesmus has a long history of use for diarrhoea and dysentery, particularly as an infusion, as the tea stimulates water and electrolyte absorption. Alcohol extracts have the opposite effect and can cause problems. Research on rats supports the traditional uses for gut problems and found that the roots (especially collected during flowering time) were particularly useful to repair stomach erosion, including that damaged by pharmaceuticals such as aspirin, thereby protecting against stomach ulcers. Evidence is from animal models only.

4.10 Neuroprotective / Cholinesterase Inhibitory Activity

Reported pharmacological activities include acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity. Root extracts of Hemidesmus indicus have been found to exhibit acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. This work is in vitro and preclinical; no clinical data support any neuroprotective application in humans.

5. Body Systems and Health Areas Associated with H. indicus

• Integumentary (skin): Used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to treat skin disorders, inflammation, and fever; traditionally applied topically for conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and wounds due to its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
• Hepatic (liver): The plant's root was consumed internally to support liver function and detoxification.
• Endocrine/metabolic (blood glucose regulation): Antidiabetic effects investigated in rodent models.
• Immune system: Immunomodulation is one of the pharmacological activities attributed to root extracts and formulations.
• Oncology (preclinical): Cytotoxic and pro-apoptotic effects demonstrated in leukemic and colorectal cancer cell lines.
• Cardiovascular: Cardioprotective effects have been attributed to root extracts and formulations.
• Renal: Renoprotective effects of Hemidesmus indicus have been investigated as a herbal drug in gentamicin-induced renal toxicity models.
• Reproductive: In Ayurveda, the plant is used in the treatment of oligospermia, gastritis, anorexia, and menorrhagia.
• Musculoskeletal: Traditional application in rheumatism and arthritis.
• Neurological: It is also known to help relieve stress by inducing an overwhelming sensation of relaxation, euphoria, and tranquility.

6. Dosage Forms and Reported Dosages

The plant is administered in the form of powder, infusion, or decoction, as well as syrup. The following dosages and forms have been reported either in the scientific literature or in traditionally referenced Ayurvedic practice:

• Root powder: The roots are dried and ground into a fine powder, which is then mixed with other medicinal herbs to make salves and balms, or steeped in warm water and ingested as a tea.
• Decoction (Kwath): Prepared by boiling root material in water. Used orally for systemic effects.
• Nannari sharbat (syrup): Used to make beverages like nannari sharbat. Used as a refreshing syrup with sugar and a dash of lemon (sharbat), served at most small refreshment shops in South India.
• Animal study doses (not directly translatable to humans):
  • In a hepatoprotection study, ethanolic root extract was given to rats at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight for the last 30 days of the experiment against ethanol-induced liver damage.
  • Methanolic root extract at 500 mg/kg orally showed hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity in animal studies.
  • Oral treatment with ethanol extract at 100 mg/kg for 15 days prevented rifampicin- and isoniazid-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
  • Anti-inflammatory studies used methanolic extracts at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg orally in rats.
• Topical preparations: Ayurvedic topical preparations containing H. indicus include Dhanwamthara Taila, Pinda Taila, Amrithadi Enna, Gandha Taila, and others.

No human clinical trials establishing standardized dosing regimens have been published in the peer-reviewed literature. Doses used in animal studies cannot be directly applied to humans without further research.

7. Safety Considerations

Overall Evidence Status on Safety

H. indicus is not fully assessed on the basis of its safety and efficacy in humans. Although the crude extracts of H. indicus exhibit an array of pharmacological activities, it is necessary to identify more active phytoconstituents by bioactivity-guided isolation and elucidate their structure-activity relationships. More designed investigations are needed to comprehend the multi-target network pharmacology, to clarify the molecular mode of action, and to ascertain the efficacious doses of H. indicus.

Toxicity Studies

Toxicity studies of crude aqueous ethanolic extract of the roots of Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens R. Br. were carried out in two growth phases; the drug was administered both orally and intraperitoneally. It was found to possess nonspecific changes in the liver. These findings warrant caution pending further toxicological characterization.

Drug Interactions

There is limited information on specific drug interactions with Hemidesmus indicus. Given the plant's documented influence on hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme systems (demonstrated in animal studies of its antidiabetic effects, where it restored hepatic CYP450 mono-oxygenase activity), the theoretical possibility of pharmacokinetic interactions with CYP450-metabolized drugs exists, but this has not been formally studied in human subjects.

Alcohol Extract Precaution

While aqueous infusions (teas) of Hemidesmus have a history of use for diarrhoea and are described as stimulating water and electrolyte absorption, alcohol extracts have the opposite effect and can cause problems. This distinction between aqueous and alcoholic preparations is pharmacologically relevant.

Evidence Gap

While traditional texts like Charaka and Sushruta praised this plant for centuries, modern science is catching up, offering promising — but still preliminary — data on antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. The overwhelming body of evidence to date is from in vitro cell studies and rodent models. Controlled human clinical trials assessing both efficacy and safety of specific preparations, doses, and durations of use remain absent from the published literature.

References

• Nandy, S. et al. (2020). Indian Sarsaparilla (Hemidesmus indicus): Recent progress in research on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of Ethnopharmacology. ScienceDirect.
• Das, S. & Bisht, S. (2013). The bioactive and therapeutic potential of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Indian Sarsaparilla) root. PubMed / NCBI.
• Fimognari, C. et al. (2011). Mitochondrial Pathway Mediates the Antileukemic Effects of Hemidesmus indicus, a Promising Botanical Drug. PLoS ONE. PMC.
• Turrini, E. et al. (2019). Hemidesmus indicus induces apoptosis via proteasome inhibition and generation of reactive oxygen species. Scientific Reports. PMC.
• Hypoglycemic activity of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. PMC / PubMed.
• Saravanan, N. & Nalini, N. (2008). Hemidesmus indicus Protects against ethanol-induced liver toxicity. Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters. PubMed.
• Esposito, F. et al. (2017). Multi-target activity of Hemidesmus indicus decoction against innovative HIV-1 drug targets and characterization of Lupeol mode of action. PubMed.
• Evaluation of antioxidant properties of root bark of Hemidesmus indicus R. Br. (Anantmul). PubMed.
• Acute and Sub-Acute Toxicity Studies of Hemidesmus indicus var. pubescens R.Br. PMC.
• Turrini, E. et al. (2023). Hemidesmus indicus as natural bioactive products: An evidence-based review focused on inflammation related cancer prevention potential. ScienceDirect.
• Hemidesmus indicus — An overview. ScienceDirect Topics.
• A systematic analysis of the ethnopharmacological relevance of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R.Br. for the past 10 years. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science.
• Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. — A Review. Science Alert / Journal of Pharmacological Sciences.
• Hemidesmus indicus. Wikipedia (used for botanical and chemical structural data cross-referencing).
• HR-LCMS and evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of Hemidesmus indicus (anantmool): Kinetic study, and molecular modelling approach. ScienceDirect.
• Aparna B. & Subha G. (2014). Medicinal Importance of Hemidesmus indicus: A Review on Its Utilities from Ancient Ayurveda to 20th Century. Advances in Bioresearch. ResearchGate.
• Exploration of Indian Sarsaparilla Hemidesmus indicus (L.). International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research.