Review on Ethnobotany Phytoconstituents and Phytopharmacology of Bombax ceiba Linn.

Author(s): Meenakshi S C, Basavaraj S Beldal and Ramesh L. Londonkar*

Abstract: Plants have been an important source of medicines since the beginning of cultivation. Bombax ceiba is commonly known as silk cotton tree and semal which belongs to family Bombacaceae. Its medicinal usage has been reported in the traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani. It has a wide range of medicinal and pharmacological applications. Many parts of the plant (root, stem bark, gum, leaf, prickles, flower, fruit, seed and heartwood) are used by various tribal communities and forest dwellers for the treatment of a variety of ailments. The plant literature survey shows that the plant possesses astringent, cooling, stimulant, diuretic, aphrodisiac, demulcent and tonic effects and also helps in treatment of dysentery. It also possesses important pharmacological activity such as aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective activity in addition to anticancer and anti-HIV activity, it has an anti-Helicobacter pylori, antiangiogenic, analgesic and antioxidant activity and hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antimicrobial activity. It is reported to contain important phytoconstituents such as naphthol, naphthoquinones, polysaccharides, anthocyanins, shamimin and lupeol. This paper provides an overview on pharmacological, phytochemical properties and therapeutic properties of the plant.

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