Title:A Review of Saurauia roxburghii Wall. (Actinidiacaea) as a Traditional Medicinal Plant, Its Phytochemical Study and Therapeutic Potential
Volume: 20
Issue: 19
Author(s): Afsana Nahrin, Md. Junaid, Syeda Samira Afrose, Muhammad Shaiful Alam, S.M. Zahid Hosen, Rasheda Akter and Tania Sharmin*
Affiliation:
- Molecular Modeling Drug-Design and Discovery Laboratory, Pharmacology Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Chattogram, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Chattogram,Bangladesh
Keywords:
Saurauia roxburghii, vernacular information, botanical characterization, geographical distribution, traditional uses,
phytochemistry, pharmacology.
Abstract: Saurauia roxburghii Wall. is an interesting plant, found growing chiefly along the eastern
and south-eastern countries of Asia. The various ethnic groups of these regions use the plant as a medication
for relieving a wide spectrum of diseases and conditions, including indigestion, boils, fever,
gout, piles, eczema, asthma, ulcers, bronchitis, epilepsy, and hepatitis B. This review aims to appraise
the vernacular information, botanical characterization, geographical distribution, traditional uses, phytochemistry,
and pharmacological activities of S. roxburghii as well as to conduct a critical analysis on
the findings. To understand the therapeutic potential and provide an overall idea about the ethnomedicinal
practices, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of S. roxburghii, relevant information
was collected via a library and electronic search of online journals, books, and reputed databases. Phytochemical
examination revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, O-glycosides, flavonoids, carbohydrates,
saponins, steroids, reducing sugars, tannins, phlobatannins, and triterpenoids. The sterols
were identified as Stigmasterol and beta-Sitosterol. The triterpenes were found to be Ursolic acid,
Corosolic acid, Maslinic acid, 24-Hydroxy corosolic acid, 3b,7b,24-trihydroxy-urs-12-en-28-oic
acid, Oleanolic acid, beta-Amyrin, cis-3-O-p-Hydroxycinnamoyl ursolic acid, trans-3-O-p-
Hydroxycinnamoyl ursolic acid, and 7,24-dihydroxyursolic acid. Several in-vivo and in-vitro tests revealed
anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant, and anti-viral activities of the plant
leaves. Detailed analysis of the information collected on S. roxburghii suggested some promising
leads for future drug development. However, many scientific gaps were found in the study of this and
further extensive investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanism of action of the active constituents
and exploit its therapeutic promises.
