Abstract

ANTHOCYANIN CONTENT OF TEAK AND ITS POTENTIAL THERAPEUTIC TRAITS: SOME OBSERVATIONS

Greeshma Murukan and Murugan K.*

Abstract

Currently, the natural herbal products are used either as nutrient or as nutraceutical to mitigate many of the life style disorders. Tectona grandis Linn. (Lamiaceae), the timber tree which is widely distributed throughout the tropical belts of the world. Its leaves, barks, seeds and flowers have been used in the local traditional system as therapeutic to treat many diseases. Usage of teak wood in Ayurveda or Unani medical system as acrid, cooling agent and also for the treatment of headache, constipation, biliousness, burning sensation and pain, liverrelated disorders, wormicide, cough, bactericidal, fungicidal, piles, leucoderma and dysentery infections. Many research works proved that the different parts of teak plant possesses antioxidant, antidiabetic,, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, antifertility, anti-inflammatory and antigenotoxic features which helps in the treatment of many disorders. The coloured extract of teak has been used in many crude drug mix and soft drinks. Many studies were carried in animal model to evaluate young leaf extracts as antidiabetic and antioxidant. This study aims to quantify anthocyanin content from the different parts of teak and its plausible medicinal applications.

Keywords: Tectona grandis, Verbenaceae, Stem Bark, Leaves, Toxicity, Therapeutic Values, Anthocyanin.