Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of an Important Indian Medicinal Plant Crataeva nurvala Buch Ham

Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham. (Capparidaceae) is a high-value medicinal tree that grows almost all over India, especially in the semiarid regions. Medicinal usage has been reported in traditional systems of medicine, such as Ayurveda and Unani. This drug is used in traditional system of medicine against a wide variety of urinary disorders. Crataeva nurvala is commonly known as Varuna. Many phytoconstituents have been isolated from the fruits, ischolar_main bark and stem bark of Varuna. Lupeol is the major chemical constituent isolated from Varuna. The minor chemical constituents are cadabicine, cadabicinediacetate, catechin, (-)epicatechin- 5-glucoside, (-)epiafzelechin, glucocapparin, lupeol acetate, spinasterol acetate and taraxasterol. Lupeol, a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from the ischolar_main bark, has been shown to significantly minimize the deposition of stone-forming constituents in kidneys. Investigations have also indicated the plant has anti-arthritic, hepatoprotective, and cardio-protective actions. This review briefly examines the Phytochemistry, biological activities, pharmacological actions, clinical studies, and medicinal applications of Crataeva nurvala to provide direction for further research.