Abstract

PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY OF ACACIA CATECHU WILLD: A REVIEW

Monu, Milind Parle, Renu Kadian* and Kalish Sharma

ABSTRACT

The article deals with the importance of Acacia catechu willd in maintaining human health. Plant is described as medicinal plant in ancient literature commonly known as Katha beloning to Family: Fabaceae and subfamily: Mimosoideae. The generic name, ‘acacia’, comes from the Greek word ‘akis’, meaning a point. The species name comes from 'cutch', a tanning extract isolated from its heartwood. The main chemical constituents of Black catechu are flavanoids (catechin, (-) epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, rocatechin, phloroglucinol, procatechuic acid, catecutannic acid, quercetin, quercitrin), alkaloids (kaempferol, dihydrokaempferol, taxifolin, (+)-afzelchin gum), glycosides (poriferasterol, poriferasterolacylglucosides), tannins (gallic acid, phlobatannins), sugars (d-galactose, d-rhamnose and l-arabinose). Acacia catechu willd has been shown to possess multifarious medicinal properties such anti-bacterial, anticancer, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-ulcer, antisecretory, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, sore throat and wound healing etc. The present review article provides up-to-date information on the medicinal properties of the plant. We have also tabulated the phytochemical constituents of Acacia catechu willd. We hope this review article will help the scientists working in the area of traditional medicines and medicinal food in their future endeavor.

Keywords: Acacia catechu willd, Phytoconstituents, Medicinal properties.