Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW ON CASUARINA EQUISETIFOLIA LINN

S. Muthuraj*, P. Muthusamy, R. Radha and K. Ilango

Abstract

Casuarina equisetifolia: A fast growing evergreen tree, is a well known xerophytic plant of the tropics and subtropics region. It is endemic to costal area and is native from Australia. Many of the scientific studies have reported that it contains the following primary and secondary metabolite such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, proteins, glycosides, saponins, phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, gum, reducing sugars and triterpenoids. Casuarina contains a highly oxygenated pyrrolizidine alkaloid casuarine. Phenolic compounds are isolated from casuarina include gallic acid, Ellagicacid, epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, procatechuic, p-coumaric, chlorogenic acid, catechin. Ethnomedicinal uses of casuarina were scientifically evaluated for antimicrobial, antidiabetic, antioxidant, cytotoxic, hypolipidemic, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective and woundhealing properties. This paper will highlight the Phytochemical, pharmacognostical, pharmacological characters along with the synthesis of silver nanoparticals from Casuarina equisetifolia.

Keywords: Casuarinaequisetifolia, Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids Casuarine, Antidiabetic, Silver Nanoparticles.