BOTANY, ETHNOMEDICINAL, PHARMACOLOGICAL AND THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS OF STRYCHNOS POTATORUM LINN: A REVIEW

  Strychnos potatorum also known as clearing-nut tree is spread throughout the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It has been highly reported in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani systems of medicine. Some of the chief constituents found in the plant are strychnine, diaboline, isomotiol, sitosterol, stigmasterol and compresterol. The plant has been exclusively used as antimicrobial, nephroprotective, antidiabetic, antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, antidiarrhoeal, hepatoprotective, antiulcerogenic, antinociceptive, antipyretic and contraceptive. Traditionally, it has been also used as stomachic, demulcent and emetic. The plant is also utilized for the treatment of various eye diseases, respiratory diseases, kidney complaints, and gonorrhea. The seeds of the tree are commonly used in traditional medicine as well as purifying water in India and Myanmar. This review paper briefly discuss the botany, ethnomedicinal, pharmacological and therapeutic applications of Strychnos potatorum with an attempt to compile the document and highlight the need of research and development.