A review on ecology, distribution, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the medicinally important plant Pterocarpus santalinus L. (Red sanders)
Pterocarpus santalinus L., commonly known as Red sanders, belongs to the family Fabaceae. The plant is well-known for its distinctive wood, which has a stunning color, a delicate appearance, and exceptional technical features. The natural dye santalin, which is produced by the red wood, is used to color foodstuffs and pharmaceutical formulations. The decoction made from the heartwood is given numerous therapeutic characteristics in the ancient system of medicine. It has been used to induce vomiting as well as treat ulcers, mental disorders, and eye illnesses. It is known that the heartwood of Red sander trees has diaphoretic, aphrodisiac, anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-helminthic, hemorrhage, and dysentery-preventing properties. Additionally, it has served as a cooling agent. It has been claimed that an ethanol extract of stem bark has anti-hyperglycemic properties. Various studies on the phytochemistry of stem bark extracts in ethanol extracts showed the presence of tannins, phenols, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, and triterpenoids, as well as saponins. Isoflavone glucosides and two anti-tumor lignans, savinin, and calocedrin, are found in the heart wood. However, despite numerous claims of pharmacological activity, the species has not been thoroughly investigated. The current article emphasizes the phytochemistry, pharmacological potential, and applications of P. santalinus.
Keshavamurthy M, Devi NG, Manjula AC, Shubha KS, Deepashree CL, Janani P, Archana RM. A review on ecology, distribution, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties of the medicinally important plant Pterocarpus santalinus L. (Red sanders). J App Biol Biotech. 2024. http://doi.org/10.7324/JABB.2025.189424
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