A Phytopharmacological Review on a Medicinal Plant: Citrus Medica L. (Citron)

From classical times, plants are wealthy source of effective and safe medicines. Herbal medicines have been the main source of primary health maintenance in many nations. The benefits of natural products with medicinal properties is as ancient as human advancement and, for a long time, mineral, plant and animal products were the main origin of drugs. The reasons for these were that pure compounds were easily obtained, structural moderations to manufacture potentially more active and safer drugs could be easily executed and the commercial power of the pharmaceutical companies was increasing. Citrus fruits are surrounded by the most extensive horticultural products enjoying universally as item of diet. They are rich in vitamin C, minerals and carries distinct flavors. Citrus Medica L. Generally called as a Citron in English and Bijapura in Ayurvedic literature is member of Rutaceae family. Several parts of Citron are generally used in Indian traditional system of medicine. Leaves are useful to induce sleep. In earliest literature citron was observed as an antidote of each kind of poison. Citrus Medica L. leaves carry anthelmintic and estrogenic activities; fruit has analgesic, anticancer and antiulcer activities; peel carry many characteristics including hypoglycemic, anti - cholinesterase, hypocholesterolemic, hypo - lipidemic, antimicrobial and anthelmintic properties; seed has anti - diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic and estrogenic activities. Apart from medicinal uses, the plant has high scale value because of its edible and nutritive fruit, useful wood, latex and bark and provides generous occupations support to local citizens.