In recent years several Ayurvedic herbal preparations have undergone scientific scrutiny. For instance, Resurpine, an antihypertensive drug, was isolated from the Aryuvedic herb rauwolfia serpentina. Curcumin, the active principle of curcuma longada, has been found to have potent anti-inflammatory effects. It has also been found to selectively inhibit platelet prostaglandin production while sparing vascular endothelial prostaglandin synthesis.