Cedrus deodara (Roxb.): a review on the recent update on its pharmacological and phytochemical profile

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Cedrus deodara (Roxb.) Loud, commonly called as deodar, belongs to the family Pinaceae and is a species of cedar native to the Western Himalayas in Eastern Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan, North-Central India, South Western Tibet and Western Nepal. The current review summarized and presents an up-to-date article on the medicinal uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of C. deodara plant. Key findings It is a medicinal tree and is used traditionally to treat various diseases like microbial infection, joint disorder, asthma, skin diseases, kidney stone, peptic ulcer, brain disorders and inflammatory disorders. The chemical constituents obtained from different parts of the plant include α-himachalene (12.5%) and β-himachalene (43%) associated with them are sesquiterpene alcohols (himachalol, allohimachalol, himadarol, isocentdarol, centdarol and cedrin (6-methyldihydromyricetin), methylacetophenone, atlantonl, deodarin, toxifolin, terpenoids, flavonoids and glycosides, wikstromal, matairesinol, dibenzylbutyrolactol, bergapten, isopimpinellin, benzofuranoid neo lignan and isohemacholone. Summary Its chemical constituents are mostly responsible for the pharmacological actions. Recent in-vivo and in-vitro studies show that C. deodara has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-hyperglycaemic, anti-spasmodic, insecticidal, anti-apoptotic, anti-cancer, immmunomodulatory, molluscidal, anxiolytic and anticonvulsant properties. However, immediate efforts must be made to determine its mode of action, efficacy, dose range and safety in addressing various disease situations.