Abstract
The plant kingdom provides many plants with properties which are conducive to health and to secure the best results from the use of the plants as remedial agencies. Mesua ferrea Linn (Nagakesar) is a rare plant which is traditionally being used for its antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, blood purifier, anthelmintic, cardiotonic, diuretic, expectorant, antipyretic, purgative, antiasthmatic, antiallergic and several other effects. The scientific screening of the plant confirms its antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, central nervous system (CNS) depressant, analgesic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, antineoplastic, antivenom and immunostimulant activity. The phytochemical screening confirms the presence of phenyl coumarins, xanthones, triterpenoids, fats and flavanoids as main constituents responsible for its biological activity. It is a substitute for petroleum gasoline. It is also used in cosmetics, as fire wood and the polymer obtained from seed oil is used in the preparation of resins. The present review summarizes the phyto-pharmacological role of this valuable medicinal plant. Key words: Mesua ferrea, traditional medicinal uses, phytochemical screening, pharmacological activities.
Highlights
Ayurveda has related research efforts which have led to generation of enormous amount of scientific information concerning plants, crude plant extracts, and various substances from plants as medicinal agents during last 30 to 40 years
The phytochemical screening confirms the presence of phenyl coumarins, xanthones, triterpenoids, fats and flavanoids as main constituents responsible for its biological activity
When compared between normal and Muthu Marunthu treated control rats, there was no significant changes in the blood levels of glucose, urea, plasma protein and cholesterol, and activities of serum enzymes such as Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), Glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and Glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), alkaline and acid phosphatase (Palani et al, 1999)
Summary
Ayurveda has related research efforts which have led to generation of enormous amount of scientific information concerning plants, crude plant extracts, and various substances from plants as medicinal agents during last 30 to 40 years. Is found throughout Southeast Asia in tropical evergreen forests up to 1,500 m elevation (Dassanayake, 1980). It is widely distributed in tropical countries like India, Burma, Thailand, Indochina and New Guinea (Kritikar, 1981). The seeds are brunt like candles, the wood is used for golf club heads, flowers and stamens are used to stuff pillows for the bridles bed (Sahni, 1998)
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