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Phytomedicinal Importance of Saraca asoca (Ashoka): An Exciting Past, an Emerging Present and a Promising Future


Affiliations
1 Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
 

Since the dawn of civilization, natural resources have remained the mainstay of various remedial approaches of humans vis-à-vis a large number of illnesses. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde (or Saraca indica L.) belonging to family Caesalpiniaceae has been regarded as a universal panacea in old Indian Ayurvedic texts and has especially been used to manage gynaecological complications and infections besides treating haemmorhagic dysentery, uterine pain, bacterial infections, skin problems, tumours, worm infestations, cardiac and circulatory problems. Almost all parts of the plant are considered pharmacologically valuable. Extensive folkloric practices and ethnobotanical applications of this plant have even lead to the availability of several commercial S. asoca formulations recommended for different indications; however, though adulteration of these remains a pressing concern. Though a wealth of knowledge on this plant is available in both the classical and modern literature, extensive research on its phytomedicinal worth using state-of-the-art tools and methodologies is lacking. Recent reports on bioprospecting of S. asoca endophytic fungi for industrial bioproducts and useful pharmacologically relevant metabolites provide a silver lining to uncover single molecular bio-effectors from its endophytes. Here, we describe socio-ethno-botanical usage, present the current pharmacological status and discuss potential bottlenecks in harnessing the proclaimed phytomedicinal worth of this prescribed Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Finally, we also look into the possible future of the drug discovery and pharmaceutical R&D efforts directed at exploring its pharma legacy.

Keywords

Drug Discovery, Herbal Medicine, Saraca asoca, Natural Products, Plant Extracts.
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  • Phytomedicinal Importance of Saraca asoca (Ashoka): An Exciting Past, an Emerging Present and a Promising Future

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Authors

Satpal Singh
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
T. H. Anantha Krishna
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
Subban Kamalraj
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
Gini C. Kuriakose
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
Jinu Mathew Valayil
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India
Chelliah Jayabaskaran
Department of Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, India

Abstract


Since the dawn of civilization, natural resources have remained the mainstay of various remedial approaches of humans vis-à-vis a large number of illnesses. Saraca asoca (Roxb.) de Wilde (or Saraca indica L.) belonging to family Caesalpiniaceae has been regarded as a universal panacea in old Indian Ayurvedic texts and has especially been used to manage gynaecological complications and infections besides treating haemmorhagic dysentery, uterine pain, bacterial infections, skin problems, tumours, worm infestations, cardiac and circulatory problems. Almost all parts of the plant are considered pharmacologically valuable. Extensive folkloric practices and ethnobotanical applications of this plant have even lead to the availability of several commercial S. asoca formulations recommended for different indications; however, though adulteration of these remains a pressing concern. Though a wealth of knowledge on this plant is available in both the classical and modern literature, extensive research on its phytomedicinal worth using state-of-the-art tools and methodologies is lacking. Recent reports on bioprospecting of S. asoca endophytic fungi for industrial bioproducts and useful pharmacologically relevant metabolites provide a silver lining to uncover single molecular bio-effectors from its endophytes. Here, we describe socio-ethno-botanical usage, present the current pharmacological status and discuss potential bottlenecks in harnessing the proclaimed phytomedicinal worth of this prescribed Ayurvedic medicinal plant. Finally, we also look into the possible future of the drug discovery and pharmaceutical R&D efforts directed at exploring its pharma legacy.

Keywords


Drug Discovery, Herbal Medicine, Saraca asoca, Natural Products, Plant Extracts.

References





DOI: https://doi.org/10.18520/cs%2Fv109%2Fi10%2F1790-1801