Kollu 1

World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Kashid et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

SJIF Impact Factor 8.084
Volume 10, Issue 6, 1682-1696. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105
HORSE GRAM (MACROTYLOMA UNIFLORUM): NUTRACEUTICAL

PULSE CROP: A REVIEW
Rahul R. Kashid* and Santosh M. Talekar
PG, Department of Botany, Kesharbai Sonajirao Kshirsagar College Beed, MS.
ABSTRACT
Article Received on
19 April 2021, Macrotyloma uniflorum (Lam.) Verdc commonly known as horse gram
Revised on 09 May 2021, is a kind of legume of tropics and subtropics. Present review was
Accepted on 30 May 2021
DOI: 10.20959/wjpr20216-20665
undertaken to collect information on medicinal uses and nutritional
values of M. uniflorum. In Ayurveda pharmacodynamics properties of
M. uniflorum are Kashaya Rasa, Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshna Guna, Ushna
*Corresponding Author
Veerya and Katu Vipaka. Various medicinal preparations such as
Rahul R. Kashid
Dhanyamla and decoctions are prepared using seeds of M.uniflorum. It
PG, Department of Botany,
Kesharbai Sonajirao is mainly used as a tonic, astringent, diuretic and also recommended in
Kshirsagar College Beed, rheumatism, neuralgia and other several diseases. Horse gram seeds
MS. are rich in natural phenols; mostly phenolic acids, flavonoids and the
major anti-oxidants. Horse gram is considered as animal fodder and its
full potential as a part of human diet has not been exploited completely. It can be consumed
as seeds, as sprouts or as meal by itself. Horse gram is a well-known, inexpensive,
underutilized source of nutrients like protein (22-24%). Seeds contain carbohydrates (57.2%),
fat (1.1%), vitamins, minerals (3.2%) and good amount of soluble fibres. Macrotyloma
uniflorum contains major bioactive constituents are acids like phenolic acid, phytic acid,
proteinease enzymatic inhibitors have significant metabolic and physiological effects. Horse
gram is very useful in treating kidney stones, weight loss, diabetes, cold, fever, cholesterol,
throat infection, piles and jaundice and water retention. Used in weight loss diet and also
because of rich in proteins(20%), because of low acceptable taste and flavor of cooked
products it is used only by the farming community and low-income peoples, and called as
underutilized, less expensive nutritional plant Extract of these seeds shows potent anti-
adipogenic, anti-hyperglycemic anti-hypercholesterolemic activities. It acts against oxidative
stress.
www.wjpr.net │ Vol 10, Issue 6, 2021. │ ISO 9001:2015 Certified Journal │ 1682
KEYWORDS: Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phytoconstituents, Hyperglycemic activity, Anti-

oxidants, Food.
INTRODUCTION
M. uniflorum seeds are known as the poor man’s pulse crop in Asian countries, especially
India. It is commonly called as ‘hulga’ used for both food and fodder. The use of dry seeds of
horse gram is limited due to their poor cooking quality. Recently, the US National Academy
of Sciences recognized this legume as an upcoming potential food resource. In horse gram
seeds are the edible part of the plant and consumed as a whole (boiled) seed, as sprouts, as a
curry or as whole meal in Asia, popular especially in southern Indian states.
Macrotyloma uniflorum also described as Dolichos biflorus L. in the literature. Horse gram
sprouts are used in eliminating kidney stones. It also helps in lowering cholesterol levels and
could play a role in antioxidant. Macrotyloma uniflorum is commonly used as food for
horses, because of this it named as horse gram. It is mainly cultivated in Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
India, Bangladesh, West Indies etc.
Horse gram soup is popular dish in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; it is served in most of the
Telugu speaking people’s weddings and ceremonies and tastes wonderful with boiled rice.
Horse gram is used in special kinds of dishes in Kerala. Horse gram is commonly used in
Tamil dishes, including kollu chutney, kollu porial, kollu avial, kollu sambar, and kollu rasam
in Tamil Nadu. Horse gram is often used to make Kulith Usual, pithla and laddu in
Maharashtra, and specifically the coastal Konkan region and Goa. It is used to make popular
dishes like Kulitan Saaru, Kulitan Upkari, Kulitan Ghassi and idli like preparation called
Kulitan Sannan.
Recent researchers reveals that many phytoconstituents such as proteins, vitamins, minerals,
carbohydrates, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, flavonoids can protect human against diseases
for which it is studied extensively to establish their efficacy and to understand the underlying
mechanism of their action. Secondary plant metabolites have biological properties such as
antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, stimulation of the immune system, anti-microbial
activity, modulation of detoxification enzymes, decrease of platelet aggregation and
modulation of hormone metabolism and anti-cancer property.
Therefore, the present review is an attempt to compile the best available information in the
scientific literature about the medicinal significance of horse gram. Horse gram, besides
being intrinsically vast in carbohydrate and protein content, also abounds in essential trace
minerals like iron, molybdenum and calcium. These ensure optimal energy, muscle strength,
regulated red blood cell synthesis and fortified bones. Moreover, it also supplies ample
amounts of the B vitamins that guarantee the normal metabolic functioning of cells.
Hence, it comes as no surprise that horse gram is being widely consumed globally today, in
the form of the sprouted or boiled seeds, as a health drink made with the ground powder, as
well as in traditional Indian dishes like dals, soups and salads.
ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

Native place of horse gram is the old-world tropics and indigenous to India. Around 2000
BC, there is an investigation report of archaeological department revealed that the use of
horse gram as food supplement particularly in India, that the proof of origin. The genus of
horse gram Macrotyloma contains 25 species indigenous to Asia and Africa. The main
primary origin of Macrotyloma uniflorum as cultivated plant is in the plains and hills of low
attitude extending southwards in the Western Ghats in south west India, mainly in Sahyadri
hills.
During the time of Neolithic period, through counter migration of human beings, horse gram
cultivation is spread over in all over India, particularly in northern and western parts of the
India. In India it is grown in the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh,
Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and in the
foot hills of Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh.
TAXONOMIC DESCRIPTION
Horse gram is cultivated as a low-grade pulse crop in southern Asia, mainly from India to
Myanmar. It is also grown as a forage and green manure in many tropical countries,
especially in Australia and South-East Asia. Horse gram, the self-pollinated crop, belongs to
Fabaceae family. It is an annual herb, stem erect and branched, leaves alternate, petiolate,
stipulate, trifoliolate, axillary inflorescence, flowers bracteate, bisexual, corolla
papilionaceous. Yellow or greenish yellow flowers with violet blot on the standard are borne
singly. Pods are 5-8cm long and 3-9mm wide with 5-8 seeds. Macrotyloma uniflorum is the
cultivated annual form which has wider pods. It is drought resistant but cannot withstand
water logging.
BIOACTIVE COMPOUNDS
Horse gram contains various compounds that can cause various biological actions in the
humans, including both useful and harmful side effects. The undesirable ones are to be
considered as anti-nutrients. The presence of antinutritional factors, such as phenols, tannins,
phytic acids and flatulence causing oligosaccharides are now being considered as potential
anti-oxidants. These anti-nutrients cause a number of positive health effects such as a
decrease risk of intestinal diseases (gallstones, diverticulosis, constipation and colon cancer),
coronary heart disease and prevention of dental caries and treatment of diabetes. Saponins
and another common class of antinutrients compounds have been reported to show
hypocholesterolemic as well as anticarcinogenic effects.
Phytic Acids
Phytic acid or inositol hexaphosphate IP6 is a simple ringed carbohydrate with six phosphate
groups attached to each carbon (a bio active sugar molecule) and a major form of
phosphorylated inositol. Phytic acid exists in the form of free acids, phytate, or phytin and all
of these forms are interchangeable. The concentration of phytic acid in horse gram revealed a
significant quantity in embryonic axe fraction.
Phenolic Compounds
Phenolic compounds have a greatest beneficial interest on human health due to presence of
antioxidant property, such as protection of oxidative damage. The principal phenolic
compounds of horse gram seeds are flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and myricetin,
vanillic, p – hydroxybenzoic, and ferulic acids. The phenolic acids are a large family of
secondary metabolites having either derivatives of benzoic acid or of cinnamic acid, which
are commonly found as esters of caffeic and quinic acids and are responsible for various
beneficial effects in a multitude of diseases.
Flatulence Factors
Raffinose family oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose) alpha galactosyl
derivative of sucrose, a low molecular weight causes accumulation of gas, discomfort,
diarrhoea, pain and cramps after digestion. The cotyledon fractions contain higher
concentrations of oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose), accounting for 39%

of the total soluble sugars.
Proteinase Inhibitors
Protease is a group of enzymes whose catalytic function is to hydrolyse (breakdown) peptide
bonds of proteins. Proteases, is an indispensable for maintenance and survival of the
organisms but have potentially damaging role in higher concentrations, thus its activities
needto be regulated. trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, chymase, cathepsin G, plasmin,
thrombin and subtilisin are classical examples of functional serine proteinases.
Nutritional Values of horse gram (M. Uniflorum)

1. Protein content
Horse gram is the most protein-rich lentil found on the planet. The seeds have twice the
protein content as of cereal grains. Mean protein value of horse gram seeds is almost
equivalent to winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus), gram (Cicer arietinum) and
soybean (Glycine max) (Gopalan et al., 1989, Mushtari et al., 1977).
2. Carbohydrate (CHO) content

M. uniflorum seeds contain common and abundant forms of CHO, viz sugars, fibers, and
starches. The digestibility of starches as a legume is lower than that of cereal. Contain less
carbohydrate (55- 65%) and energy compared to cereals. CHO available in M. uniflorum
seeds has low glycemic index (Prasad et al., 2015).
3. Fatty acid content

Saturated fatty acids level in the seeds of M. uniflorum is considerably low. It is about
72.49% unprocessed seeds and about 71.99% in toasted seeds. Seeds are rich sources of
Linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. Raw seeds contain 45.58% and toasted seeds contain
40.33% of Linoleic acid. (Morris et al., 2013).
4. Dietary fiber content

Whole grains are the best sources to get fiber into a balance diet. Fibers are of two types,
soluble and insoluble. Horse gram seed contains 28.8% total dietary fibers, mainly insoluble
dietary fiber (IDF) 27.82% and soluble dietary fiber (SDF) 1.13% with IDF: SDF 24.6.
(Bhartiya et al.,2015) Horse gram flour contains 16.3% total dietary fiber (14.9% insoluble
and 1.4% soluble and 2.2% resistant starch). (Khatoon et.al, 2004) Seeds of M. uniflorum
contain more insoluble dietary fiber than kidney bean (Phaseolus aconitifolius) (Sreerama et
al., 2012).
5. Micronutrient content
Horse gram has the highest calcium content among pulses. As a legume, Horse gram is
deficient in methionine and tryptophan, though it is an excellent source of iron and
molybdenum (Kawale et al., 2005, Kirtikar et al.,1991).
6. Anti-oxidant source
The unprocessed horse gram seed is loaded in polyphenols, flavonoids and proteins, the
major anti-oxidants which are also available in fruits and other food materials. The greater
part of anti-oxidant properties is limited to the outer coat of seed and its removal would
eliminate these properties.
Incentives of Horse Gram (M. Uniflorum)

1. Traditional Medicine
Horse gram powder does wonders in treating various health issues such as asthma, bronchitis,
urinary problems, jaundice, peptic ulcer, haemorrhoids and even menstrual problems. It is
also beneficial for extracting phlegm, and controlling fever.
2. Glowing Skin
The astringent properties of horse gram are helpful in treating skin disease leukoderma. It is
also used as a facial pack to prevent skin problems and clean the skin.
3. Controls Diabetes
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology have found that eating
unprocessed, horse gram seeds (raw, unsprouted) following a meal can reduce the glycemic
index, by slowing down carbohydrate digestion and reducing insulin resistance.
4. Promotes Weight Loss

The seeds of horse gram have natural qualities that work as fat burners. It can reduce the LDL
cholesterol and increase the HDL cholesterol. Studies have proven that horse gram seeds can
directly attack the fatty tissues stored in the body. It is favourable in melting body fat and
gives a proper shape to the body.
5. Improves Sperm Count

The calcium, phosphorus, iron and amino acids in horse gram boost the sperm count. These
minerals positively act on the male reproductive system, increasing blood flow to those
organs, while the amino acids augment enzyme activity, which in turn assures optimal
generation of sperms.
6. Protects Liver Functions

The raw seeds of horse gram are a powerhouse of potent plant substances, namely flavonoids
and polyphenols. These compounds confer hepatoprotective properties towards the liver and
gall bladder, safeguarding their key roles in filtering and purifying the blood and detoxifying
chemicals in the body.
7. Treats Kidney Stones

Kidney stones occur due to crystallization of calcium phosphate salts in the body. Horse gram
seeds, being infused with powerful antioxidants, play a central role in inhibiting this salt
hardening process. Thus, it is very efficacious in eliminating harmful free radicals from
causing injury to healthy kidney cells. Horse gram is also a dynamic ingredient in promptly
remedying kidney disorders.
8. Diarrhoea
Horse gram consists of good amount of fiber which helps with digestion and soaking up
additional fluids from the intestine and the stomach. This reduces the occurrence of diarrhoea
and loose motion, and allows normal bowel movements to happen. One should have a
handful of pre-soaked horse gram legumes early each morning, which encourages the
digestive system to work better.
9. Conjunctivitis
The person suffer from conjunctivitis, use water of pre-soaked horsegram seeds overnight, to
wash eyes with it. The antioxidant levels in the water help combat the infection and keep the
eyes soothed and calm, without the irritation. Thrice a day the water should be used to wash
the eyes with.
10. Menstrual Disturbances

Menses problems are very disturbing, painful and energy draining. For overcoming this
painful situation, the soup of horse gram or have salads which helps bring down the levels of
irritation related with menstrual disturbances. In irregular menstrual cycles or excessive

bleeding, it is the high iron content in horse gram which will help maintain the levels of
haemoglobin in the body. This is why, holistic experts recommend horse gram to women
with menses issues.
11. Cholesterol
Horse gram helps bring down the levels of LDL or bad cholesterol in the bloodstream. Bad
cholesterol levels which stuck in the veins would be removed when horse gram is consumed,
the levels of lipids in it that work its magic.
12. Constipation
Constipation is caused due to the lack of fiber in the diet, lack of water intake, lack of
minerals and also due to an unhealthy lifestyle, stress and many more reasons. This happens
when the intestines and the stomach lining just above the duodenum are not in a position to
expand and contract normally for the waste matter to get released. Since horse gram has
powerful nutrients in it and also has plenty of fibre too, it can help combat the problems of
constipation. Horse gram in such cases should be pre-soaked and eaten as a salad in raw
form.
13. Piles
Piles happen when the veins in the rectum swell up and turn inflamed or painful. Instead of
rushing to the pharmacy for medication and treatment, holistic experts recommend the use of
horse gram. Soak a cup of horse gram overnight and consume the water the next day, and eat
the horse gram raw as a salad embellishment too. The roughage in it along with the fiber
helps treat piles effectively.
14. Skin Rashes and Boils

Horse gram can also be used as a topical face pack to treat rashes, boils and disorders of the
skin to some extent as well. This is because it is antimicrobial and antibacterial, and has
plenty of antioxidants in it along with minerals to nourish, replicate the healthy lipid layers of
the skin and more.
15. Common Cold and Fever

The ancient scholars of Ayurveda have recommended the consumption of horse gram when
you have fever, coughs and cold, bronchial problems and asthma too.Horse gram should be
consumed as soups, which helps relieve the congestion and makes the nasal tracts open up by
allowing the mucus membranes to soften up and melt. This helps with easy breathing since
the required nutrients are boosting the metabolism of the body and the immunity too.
16. Urinary Discharge

Women suffering from urinary discharge can also suffer from embarrassment too. This is
especially when urinary discharge is thick, inconsistent at times, foul smelling and continuous
in some cases. There could be pains, infection and inflammation around the cervix and the
vagina too. This happens when there is an irritation to the lining of the membrane, and the
discharge can be foul smelling or thick, with a quantity increase when puberty hits or when
sexual arousal is at its peak. Ayurveda opines, one should soak a handful of horse gram
overnight in a bowl of water, and boil it the next day. This water should be consumed thrice a
day to treat symptoms of the same.
17. Diabetes
Scientists from the Indian Institute of Chemical Technology have found that unprocessed raw
horse gram seeds not only possess anti-hyperglycemic properties but also have qualities
which reduce insulin resistance. This is possible since horse gram has the power to display
ways to combat the formation of hyperglycemic properties in the body. In turn, horse gram
helps bring down insulin resistance in the body too. Blood glucose levels are brought down
and controlled, and it can help reduce the carb digestion rates as well, in turn bringing down
the levels of blood glucose too. This is why it is used as a super food to treat type 2 diabetes
in most cases.
18. Digestion
After a hearty meal, should feel acidic or don’t feel easy on the stomach within minutes to an
hour or more; chances are you are suffering from indigestion pangs. This can lead to issues
such as GERD and acid reflux, and this is what can make you feel uncomfortable too. This is
why, horse gram is recommended to be the first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
This helps encourage the digestive tract and makes digestion an easy affair.
19. Leucorrhoea
Leucorrhoea is known to be a common and a normal discharge from the vagina. It can have a
change in its consistency or colour, and often is related with pains, infection and
inflammation around the cervix and the vagina too. This happens due to an irritation to the
lining of the membrane, and the discharge can be foul smelling or thick, with a quantity
increase when puberty hits or when sexual arousal is at its peak. Ayurveda opines, one should
soak a handful of horse gram overnight in a bowl of water, and boil it the next day. This
water should be consumed thrice a day to treat symptoms of leucorrhoea.
20. Ulcers
Horse gram can be very beneficial in treating various forms of ulcers, but not gastric ulcers.
There are lipids in horse gram that come in very handy when the legume is consumed by
those that suffer from peptic and mouth ulcers. In Ayurveda, it is shown that mashed horse
gram when consumed twice a day releases the lipids much needed for the body to heal itself
from the ulcers.
Pharmacological activities of Horse gram (M. Uniflorum)

1. Analgesics and anti-inflammatory effect
Aqueous extracts of M. Uniflorum coat and pulp by in vitro method for inhibition of human
secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) as a function of anti-inflammatory activity. The extract
effectively neutralized indirect hemolytic activity and showed similar potency in neutralizing
the in vivos PLA2 induced mouse paw edema. (Giresha et al., 2015).
2. Anticalcifying activity
In vitro effect of the immature seeds of Dolichosbiflorus on crystallisation of calcium
phosphate shared significant results. They noticed that the anticalcifying activity was lost
completely by treating with activated charcoal, which was not recovered or eluted by solvent.
(Peshin et al.,1995).
3. Anti-choliolithic activity
M. uniflorum seed exerted anticholithogenic influence by decreasing the formation of
lithogenic bile in mice. Both the methanolic and acetone extracts (ME and AE) were capable
of decreasing cholesterol hyper-secretion into bile and increasing the bile acid output. The
maximum effect was found in the AE as it decreased the papillary proliferation of gallbladder
and hepatic fatty degeneration. Antioxidant property of polyphenol and tannin in AE may
provide its potential anticholithogenic effect. (Bigoniya et al., 2014).
4. Antidiabetic effect
The antidiabetic effect of α-amylase inhibitor isolated from the seeds of Macrotyloma
uniflorum in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic mice. (Lakxmi et al., 2011).
5. Anti-helmintic activity
The seeds of M. uniflorum have anthelmintic activity which can be beneficial in eliminating
worms. The alcohol extracts of M. uniflorum seeds for their anthelmintic activity. These
extracts exhibited potent anthelmintic activity against Pheretimaposthuma and its activity
was comparable with that of the standard, albendazole (Varicola et al., 2014).
6. Anti-HIV Activity
Dolichin A and Dolichin B (isomers of 3, 9-dihydroxy-l0-(2’-hydroxy-3’- methyl-3’-butenyl)
are two pterocarpans extracted from horse gram. These pterocarpans constitute the second
largest group of natural isoflavonoids with anti - HIV activity was performed by two ligands,
i.e., Dolichin A and Dolichin B with the three replication enzymes, i.e., reverse transcriptase,
protease and integrase). The protease enzyme has more effective ability to dock with ligands
Dolichin A and Dolichin B effectively than reverse transcriptase, protease and integrase.
(Auxilia et al., 2013).
7. Anti-microbial activity
The extracts from M. uniflorum seeds had shown significant activity against Bacillus subtilis,
Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. (Kawsar, et al.,2008,
Ram, et al., 2004, Gupta, et al., 2005).
8. Antiobesity activity
Bhuvaneshwari et.al.2014, have reported that the hot Extract of Dolichos biflorus (Horse
gram) on Body Weight in Overweight or Obese Human Volunteers. The Macrotyloma
uniflorum exhibited significant antiobesity activity.
9. Anti-oxidant activity
M. uniflorum extract to rabbits with high-fat diet induced oxidative stress, showed
improvement in anti-oxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and increased
glutathione concentration (Ravishankar, et al., 2012).
10. Anti-peptic ulcer activity

The antiulcer activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the seeds of M. uniflorum (MUSE)
and p-coumaric acid against indomethacin (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) and
absolute ethanol (necrotizing agent) induced ulcers in rats. MUSE and p-coumaric acid
elicited significant antioxidant activity by attenuating the ulcer elevated levels of
malondialdehyde and restored the ulcer depleted levels of reduced glutathione and the
antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione
reductase (Panda et al., 2015).
11. Anti-urolithiatic activity

M. uniflorum was found to be effective in preventing the deposition of the stones. The
antiurolithiatic activity of aqueous and alcohol extracts of M. uniflorum seed on ethylene
glycol induced urolithiasis in albino rats. An excessive urinary excretion of oxalate, calcium
and phosphate was resulted after the feeding of ethylene glycol. The seeds of M. uniflorum
are endowed with significant antiurolithiatic activity and the alcoholic extract of M.
uniflorum showed better anti urolithiatic activity than aqueous extract. (Das, et al.,2005,
Chaitanya et al., 2010, Atodariya, et al.,2013 Bijarnia, et al., 2009).
12. Diuretic activity

The urine volume, Sodium, Potassium, Chloride and Bicarbonate contents were measured
after the oral administration of extracts at doses of 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg. Diuretic effect
was significant in experimental animals treated with of M. uniflorum extracts compared to
the control, Furosemide (5mg/kg). (Ravishankar, et al., 2012).
13. Free radical-scavenging capacity

The various extracts, 70% acetone extracts of dry-heated samples of brown variety of M.
uniflorum as well as raw and dry-heated samples of black variety exhibited significantly (P <
0.05) higher hydroxyl radical-scavenging activity. Generally, all extracts showed good
antioxidant activity (53.3-73.1%) against the linoleic acid emulsion system but were
significantly (P < 0.05) lower than the synthetic antioxidant, BHA (93.3%).
14. Hemolytic activity

The presence of compounds such as methyl ester of hexadecanoic, ethyl ester of
hexadecanoic acid mixture and n-hexadecanoic could be constituted a possible
chemotaxonomic marker (Kawsar et al., 2009).
15. Hepatoprotective activity

Parmar, et al.2012, discovered the significant hepatoprotactive properties of M. uniflorum
seeds against D-Galctosamine and paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in rats.
16. Hypoglycemic Activity

Macrotyloma uniflorum α-amylase inhibitor (MUAI) inhibited both the mouse pancreatic and
human salivary α-amylase in a non-competitive manner with Ki values of 11 and 8.8 μM and
IC50 value of 30 and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively. It decreased the serum glucose level in the
treated diabetic mice. Histological findings suggested minimum pathological changes in the
treated diabetic mice as compared to the diabetic control. (Laxmi et al., 2011).
CONCULUSION
Horse gram (Macrotyloma uniflorum) contained carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins,
glycosides, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, gum, reducing sugars and
triterpenoids. It exerted many pharmacological activities including antimicrobial,
antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, heptoprotective, cytotoxic,
hypolipidemic, gastro protective, anti-urolithic, anti-helminthic and many other
pharmacological effects. This review paper will highlight the chemical constituents and
pharmacological effects of Macrotyloma uniflorum.
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World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Kashid et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Volume 10, Issue 6, 1682-1696. Review Article ISSN 2277– 7105

HORSE GRAM (MACROTYLOMA UNIFLORUM): NUTRACEUTICAL

Rahul R. Kashid* and Santosh M. Talekar

PG, Department of Botany, Kesharbai Sonajirao Kshirsagar College Beed, MS.

KEYWORDS: Macrotyloma uniflorum, Phytoconstituents, Hyperglycemic activity, Anti-

ORIGIN AND DISTRIBUTION

concentrations of oligosaccharides (raffinose, stachyose and verbascose), accounting for 39%

Nutritional Values of horse gram (M. Uniflorum)

2. Carbohydrate (CHO) content

3. Fatty acid content

4. Dietary fiber content

Incentives of Horse Gram (M. Uniflorum)

4. Promotes Weight Loss

5. Improves Sperm Count

6. Protects Liver Functions

7. Treats Kidney Stones

10. Menstrual Disturbances

irritation related with menstrual disturbances. In irregular menstrual cycles or excessive

14. Skin Rashes and Boils

15. Common Cold and Fever

16. Urinary Discharge

Pharmacological activities of Horse gram (M. Uniflorum)

10. Anti-peptic ulcer activity

11. Anti-urolithiatic activity

12. Diuretic activity

13. Free radical-scavenging capacity

14. Hemolytic activity

15. Hepatoprotective activity

16. Hypoglycemic Activity

5. Chaitanya DAK, Santosh kumar M, Manohar Reddy A, Ramesh A (2010) Anti-

17. Parmar H (2012), To investigate hepatoprotective activity of M. uniflorum seed extract on

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