Pterospermum acerifolium Linn . : A comprehensive review with significant pharmacological activities

Pterospermum acerifolium (Sterculiaceae) is an herb distributed throughout the world. The leaves of the plant are widely used for the treatment of diabetes and as a haemostatic in Indian proprietary medicines. The plant is documented to possess beneficial effects as antioxidant, antiulcer, anti inflammatory, analgesic, hypoglycaemic and antihelmentic. It is believed to be used in inflammation, abdominal pain, ascites, cures ulcers, leprosy, constipation, urinary discharges and tumours. A scrutiny of literature revealed some notable pharmacological activities of the plant such as antidiabetic (showed the leaves extract lower the glucose level, in type 2 diabetic models in rats), antimicrobial, haemostatic, free radical scavenging and anti-inflammatory. The present review is an attempt to highlight the various ethnobotanical and traditional uses as well as Phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Pterospermum acerifolium. Key-Words: Pterospermum acerifolium, ethnobotanical uses, pharmacognosy, pharmacological activities, phytochemistry. Introduction Pterospermum acerifalium wild (Sterculiaceae) commonly known as ‘Kanak champa’ is shrubs distributed in tropical Asia and an ever green tree with very conspicuous presence in the lower hill forests of Darjeeling and south Sikkim. It much more available at the east of Tista river and hardly occurs in central Darjeeling. The plant is commonly known as Kanak champa, Muchkund (Hindi), Muskanda (Bengali), Matsakanda (Telugu), Moragos (Assamese), Vennangu (Tamil), Mushkundo (Oriya), Karnikar (Marathi). Pterospermum acerifolium Linn. has a wide application in traditional system of Indian medicine for example, in ayurvedic anticancer treatment flowers are mixed with sugars and applied locally. Flowers and bark, charred and mixed with kamala applied for the treatment of small pox. Flowers made into paste with rice water used as application for hemicranias. Stem bark of the plant was found to have antimicrobial activity. * Corresponding Author E-Mail: [email protected] Mob.: +91-7414366404 Isolation of boscialin glucosides from leaves of P. acerifolium have been reported. Hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of leaves of P. acerifolium was also reported. Chronic effects of P. acerifolium on glycemic and lipidemic status of type 2 model diabetic rats was found beneficial. The barks are reported to be used as anti-ulcer anti-inflammatory analgesic and anti-oxidant activity. Flavonoids like keampferol, keampferide, luteolin, steroids and triterpenoids like sitosterol, taraxerol, friedelin, sugars, and fatty acids are present in the plant. Thus present study was undertaken to review the traditional and medicinal uses as well as phytochemical and pharmacological reports on Pterospermum acerifolium. Plant description Pterospermum acerifolium grows to a height of 60ft. The bark is grays, thin and smooth. The wood consists of red coloured heart wood and an outer cover of sapwood which is lighter in color. Even though hard and closely grained, it is easy to work with. Reviewing literature it has been found that Pterospermum acerifolium (L) Willd (FamilyReview Article [Nandy et al., 3(2): Feb., 2012]