Abstract

PISTACHIA INTEGERRIMA: AN IMPORTANT SOURCE OF NUTRACEUTICAL AND PHYTOMEDICINE

Ankita S. Chandwani, Preeti D. Verma and Prof. Dr. Mamta B. Shah*

ABSTRACT

Pistachia integerrima is a well-known medicinal plant belonging to Family Anacardiaceae. It is native to Asia‟s temperate and tropical regions and mainly found in Himalayas from Indus to Kumaon. It is a deciduous tree of height up to 40 m and found 300-2400 m above the sea level. It is well-known for its galls produced by some insects on the leaves of the plant which are rich in phytoconstituents and possesses various pharmacological activities. It is reported to be rich in alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, phenols, essential oils, tannins, reducing sugars and resinous matter. The plant itself is also beneficial against many diseases and disorders and it is used by many pharmaceutical industries as an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in various herbal formulations. Besides its pharmacological applications, it is also used as an ornamental plant, flavouring agent, dye and as a functional food and nutraceutical. Diverse pharmacological activities have been documented that include anti-asthmatic, anti-cancer, anticonvulsant, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, CNS depressant, hepatoprotective, leishmanicidal and spasmolytic effects. This review focuses on pharmacognostical aspects, traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological potential of this plant.

Keywords: Anacardiaceae, Functional food, Galls, Nutraceutical, Phytoconstituents.