Abstract

A REVIEW ON PTEROCARPUS SANTALINUS LINN.

Mohammad Azamthulla*, Rajkapoor Balasubramanian and Kavimani S

Abstract

Pterocarpus santalinus Linn. commonly known as Red Sandalwood belongs to the family Fabaceae. It is is used in India and other parts of the world, with illegal harvest being a key threat. The plant is renowned for its characteristic timber of exquisite color and beauty. The Red Sandalwood has natural dye i.e santalin, which is used as coloring agent in pharmaceutical preparations and foodstuffs. In the traditional system of medicine, the decoction from the heartwood is attributed various medicinal properties. It is used in ulcers, eye diseases, inducing vomiting and mental aberrations. The heartwood is known to have antihyperglycaemic activity, antipyretic, antiinflammatory, anthelmintic, tonic, hemorrhage, dysentery, aphrodisiac, diaphoretic activities and also used as a cooling agent. It has been reported that wood in combination with other drugs is prescribed for snake bites and scorpion stings. Phytochemical studies of this plant indicate that it contains substances such as alkaloids, phenols, saponins, glycosides, flavonoides, triterpenoides, sterols and tannins. In addition, heart wood contains isoflavone, glucosides and two antitumour lignans, viz., savinin and calocedrin. This review explores the phytochemical and pharmacological effects of the Pterocarpus santalinus Linn and compiles vital information that may assist researchers on what is known about this plant for further investigation. However, the species has remained unexplored for many pharmacological activities claimed. Hence, the present paper reviewed about phytochemical, pharmacological and medicinal uses of Pterocarpus santalinus Linn.

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