• Dr Rinto Babin B S

Asteracantha longifolia Nees, commonly associated with the Ayurvedic drugs Kokilaksha or Ikshuraka, is a medicinal plant of the family Acanthaceae. It has attracted research interest because of its traditional applications in Vata-Rakta, reproductive health, urinary disorders and other conditions. Its reported phytochemical constituents include triterpenoids, phytosterols, flavonoids, alkaloids and fatty acids. Pharmacognostic investigations have examined macroscopic and microscopic characters, physicochemical parameters, powder characteristics and chromatographic fingerprints. Various research activities have been already conducted to check its efficiency in various clinical conditions. Important challenges remain in establishing botanical identity, distinguishing plant parts, standardizing chemical composition and translating traditional indications into evidence-based therapeutic claims. The identity of Kokilaksha or Ikshuraka requires particular scrutiny because classical commentators and later Materia medica sources do not always treat these names identically. This review critically examines botanical authentication, organ-specific pharmacognosy, phytochemical standardization and pharmacological evidence, with special emphasis on the classical indications of Vatarakta and Vajikaraṇa. It proposes an integrated quality-control framework to improve the reproducibility and scientific evaluation of this medicinal resource.

Kokilaksha, Asteracantha longifolia, Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, etc

"A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ASTERACANTHA LONGIFOLIA (L.) NEES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no.c183-c192, October-2026, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610224.pdf

"A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF ASTERACANTHA LONGIFOLIA (L.) NEES", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.13, Issue 10, page no. ppc183-c192, October-2026, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2610224.pdf