Hema Barti, Gauri Shankar and Sony Singh

The herbal plants are used as a traditional medicine in Ayurveda. According to Ayurveda system plant contains many chemical constituents that can be used as a treatment for many diseases. In the present scenario, herbal medications have increased worldwide importance with both therapeutic and practical ramifications. It is the most cultivated herb over all the word. Allium cepa (onion) bulb is widely used as an edible and it is easily available in our kitchen and also used as a drug for health benefits. Traditionally it is used for the treatment of cold, cough, metabolic disorder, skin disease, insect bite, pneumonia, urinary system disorder, ear disorders, sexual disability, and also as a wound healer from ancient times. Nowadays, it is used as medicine. Onion has been containing many chemical constituents such as flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, organosulfur compounds, glycosides as well as vitamin-C & B6, minerals, fiber, fat, Carbohydrate, and Potassium is also found. Major flavonoids present in Allium cepa are Quercetin, quercetin glucosides, quercetin -3, 4-di glucosides, and quercetin - 4- glucosides responsible for many of its medicinal properties. The pharmacological activities of Allium cepa have been determined by research as include antioxidants, antifertility, anticarcinogenic, analgesic, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypertensive, diuretic, fibrinolytic, antihelminthic, hypolipidemic properties, anti-diabetic, immunoprotective effect, and cardiovascular disease. It containing several biological potencies such as antibiotic effect. Nowadays various formulation of allium cepa is available in the market as a polyherbal formulation and single herbal formulation in Ayurveda. The main focus of this review is to extend an overview of the studies regarding the phytochemistry, Pharmacological activities, and health benefits of Allium cepa.

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