title: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn--a critical ethnopharmacological review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) is a mythological plant; has high medicinal values in Ayurveda. The popular medicinal use of this plant are anti-helminthic and anti-pyretic besides its use as a laxative, in rheumatism, skin ailments and as a sedative. Vitally, the natives plant it in their home gardens to pass on its medicinal usage to oncoming generations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The present review encompasses an ethnopharmacological evaluation focusing on information on the chemical constituents, pharmacological actions and toxicology in order to reveal the therapeutic potential and gaps requiring research involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present review is based on searches in Scifinder(®), Pubmed (National Library of Medicine) and books published on the subject during the period 1933 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is most important in local and traditional medicines especially in India for treating intermittent fevers, arthritis and obstinate sciatica. Crude extracts and isolated compounds from the plant were shown to be pharmacologically active against inflammation, malaria, viral infection, leishmanisis and as an immunostimulant. The major class of biologically active compounds are the iridoid glucosides incl., Arbortristoside A, B and C from the seeds active as anticancer, anti-leishmania, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, immunomodulatory and antiviral. Other molecules; calceolarioside A, 4-hydroxyhexahydrobenzofuran-7one and β-sitosterol from leaves have been reported to be active as anti-leishmanial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory, respectively. The crude extracts have been found to be safe with an LD50 of 16gm/kg, while the LD50 of arbortristoside-A isolated from the seeds was found to be 0.5g/kg.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Mostly in-vitro or in some cases in-vivo models provide some evidence especially in the treatment of inflammatory conditions like arthritis, fevers related to malaria and protozoan diseases especially leishmaniasis. The only clinical study found, is for treating malaria, but with crude extract only. Further, more detailed safety data pertaining to the acute and sub-acute toxicity, cardio and immunotoxicity also needs to be generated for crude extracts or pure compounds.
authors: In vivo testing facility, Molecular Bio-prospection Department, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Lucknow 226015, India.
authors: Jyoti
authors: J
authors: Agrawal
authors: Anirban
authors: A
authors: Pal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007928:Lethal Dose 50; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D015394:Molecular Structure; D029592:Oleaceae / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts