Semal (Bombax ceiba L.): A Mythological Tree of Enormous Medicinal Value

Abstract

Semal ( Bombax ceiba L.) is a tree with sharp thorns, polyadelphous stamens, and a deciduous calyx on the morphological level, and concentric fibrous patches with calcium oxalate rosette crystals on the anatomical level. It is an integral part of many socio-cultural religious ceremonies, rites, rituals, traditions, customs and festivals of native communities. It is an ancient tree species found in moist evergreen and deciduous forests of many continents. Almost every part of this tree is employed as medicine. It has been reported to possess plethora of biological activities namely antianxiety, antihyperglycemic, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic, insulin secretary and sensitization, antiglycation (antiageing), antiosteoporetic and osteogenic, antiangiogenic, antitumorigenic, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, fibrinolytic, androgenic and anabolic, aphrodisiac, and antimicrobial etc. It is well mentioned in a variety of traditional medicinal systems, including Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Tibetan Medicine. The flavonoids, phenolics, sesquiterpenoids, shamimicin, bombamalosides, bombamalones, bombasin, bombasin 4-oglucoside, and bombalin have been observed major contributors for the therapeutic properties reported for Bombax ceiba . This review presents a concise report of above observations.