Abstract
Myrica esculenta (Myricaceae) is a popular medicinal plant most commonly found in the sub-tropical Himalayas. It is widely used in folk medicine to treat several ailments such as asthma, cough, chronic bronchitis, ulcers, inflammation, anemia, fever, diarrhea, and ear, nose, and throat disorders. Due to its multidimensional pharmacological and therapeutic effects, it is well recognized in the ayurvedic pharmacopeia. However, the recent upsurge in M. esculenta use and demand has led to illicit harvesting by the horticultural trade and habitat loss, pushing the plant to the brink of extinction. Thus, the present review aims to provide updated information on M. esculenta botany, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological effects, toxicity, and conservation methods, as well as also highlight prospective for future research. Particular emphasis is also given to its antioxidant potential in health promotion. In-depth literature was probed by searching several sources via online databases, texts, websites, and thesis. About 57 compounds were isolated and identified from M. esculenta, and the available reports on physicochemical parameters, nutritional and high-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis of bioactive plant parts are portrayed in a comparative manner. Friendly holistic conservation approaches offered by plant biotechnology applications, such as micropropagation, germplasm preservation, synthetic seed production, and hairy root technologies are also discussed. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to propose the mechanistic role of crude extracts and other bioactives, and even to explore the structure–function relationship of active components.
Highlights
Genus Myrica is a large group comprising more than 97 species in the Myricaceae family
M. esculenta fruits and roots are used as an active botanical ingredient in numerous ayurvedic formulations (Table 1)
This this review review investigates investigates the the relevant relevant information information on on botanical botanical description, description, ethnomedicinal uses, uses,phytochemistry, phytochemistry,antioxidant antioxidant activity, pharmacological activity and toxicity, activity, pharmacological activity and toxicity, along along with conservation of M. esculenta
Summary
Genus Myrica is a large group comprising more than 97 species in the Myricaceae family This family contains woody plants native to the subtropical and temperate zones of the earth [1]. Don named ‘Hairy Bayberry’ and widely known as Kaiphal or Kataphala in the Indian subcontinent, is broadly used in Ayurveda (traditional Indian system of medicine) [6,7,8] This plant has other synonyms, such as Myrica sapida Wall. Its fruits have been a potential income generating source for the local tribes of the Meghalaya and sub-Himalayan region [13,14] It is likewise known by a variety of names, such as “Katphal” in Sanskrit, “Kaiphal” in. M. esculenta fruits and roots are used as an active botanical ingredient in numerous ayurvedic formulations (Table 1)
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