Abstract
From ancient times, medicinal plants have been making important contributions to mankind owing to their healing properties. Their fundamental aspects such as safety, quality, and efficiency ensure the role of plant-based medicines in healthcare. Couroupita guianensis Aubl, commonly known as cannonball tree, is a member of the family Lecythidaceae (Brazil-nut family). Cannonball tree has gained worldwide attention because of its immense therapeutic values including antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antimycobacterial, analgesic, antiarthritic, anti-biofilm, antidiarrheal, antifertility, antipyretic, antistress, antitumor, antiulcer, antidermatophytic, wound healing and immunomodulatory activities. Almost all parts of the tree have been used traditionally for treating various ailments. It has been reported that C. guianensis is a rich source of bioactive compounds, specifically the presence of isatin, tryptanthrin, and indirubin is noteworthy. The present review covers in-depth literature survey concerning ecology, morphology, ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and toxicological information of C. guianensis. This review attempts to summarise information relating to the medicinal value of C. guianensis to date in order to provide baseline knowledge for future works.
Highlights
Ever since the beginning of life on earth, mankind has kept a close association with the botanical wealth to fulfil their basic needs such as shelter, clothing, food, and medicine
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: This review provides up to date information on phytochemistry and multiple biological activities of Couroupita guianensis Aubl. establishing a wider interest in safety application to humans in future
Studies dedicated to C. guianensis have reported the identification and isolation of various categories of phytochemicals from different parts of the tree
Summary
Ever since the beginning of life on earth, mankind has kept a close association with the botanical wealth to fulfil their basic needs such as shelter, clothing, food, and medicine. Ancient people value the plants as natural healers and have given a prominent position in their livelihood Through many centuries, they have kept on observing and experimenting on medicinal plants and have accumulated a rich knowledge on their medicinal properties. Couroupita guianensis Aubl (Figure 1) belonging to Lecythidaceae family is well known for its medicinal and ornamental values. It is commonly called a Cannonball tree because of the cannonball appearance of its fruits. It is a large deciduous tropical evergreen tree widely cultivated as an ornamental plant for its distinctive flower and fruit It is more common among tribes and rural people [3] and widely used in traditional medicine. The trees were overexploited during the past for timber, settlement, and agriculture and so it is under the category of threatened medicinal plant and has been enrolled in
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