Dinesh Kumar Meena, Rani Singh and Sanjeev Kumar

Sterculia urens Roxb, commonly known as Indian tragacanth or Karaya gum, is a tree species native to India and widely distributed across agroecological regions. Its medicinal value has been recognized in traditional Indian medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Unani. The medicinal properties of Sterculia urens vary depending on the agroecological region; it is cultivated in the arid and semi-arid ecological regions of India. It is traditionally used for its mucilaginous and emollient properties. The gum obtained from its stem treats gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and diarrhoea. Additionally, it possesses anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties, making it valuable in traditional wound care. In India's eastern and north-eastern regions, Sterculia urens is utilized for its medicinal bark extracts, which are known for their antimicrobial and antifungal activities. These extracts have been used in traditional medicine to treat skin infections and fungal diseases. Furthermore, in the southern regions of India, Sterculia urens is recognized for its anti-diabetic properties. Studies have shown that extracts from its seeds have hypoglycaemic effects, potentially beneficial in managing diabetes. Sterculia urensexhibit diverse medicinal properties across different agroecological regions of India. Its versatility in traditional medicine systems highlights its importance as a valuable natural resource with potential applications in modern pharmacology. However, further research is warranted to explore its pharmacological properties comprehensively and elucidate its potential in developing novel therapeutics.

DOI: 10.22271/phyto.2024.v13.i2e.14918

Pages: 733-737  |  295 Views  141 Downloads