Phytoconstituents And Pharmacological Activities Of Indian Medicinal Plant – Semal (Bombax Ceiba)

Hera Farooqui; Minhaj Akhtar Usmani

Abstract

Bombax ceiba is a member of the bombacaceae family which is sometimes referred to as red silk cotton tree and Semal. The plant is found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Northern Australia,Pakistan, Java, Malaysia and Sumatra.The plant is known by various names in different languages, such as Red cotton tree and Indian kapok tree in English, Shalmali in Sanskrit, Semal in Hindi, Shimul in Bengali, M Mullilavu in Malayalam, and Kondabruga in Telugu. It contains important phytoconstituents like proteins, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, reducing sugar, saponins, terpenoids, mangiferin, lupeol, vanillin, bombesin, bombalin, β-Dglucoside, free β-sitosterol, hentriacontane, hentriacontanol, traces of an essential oil, quercetin and kaempferol. The plant and its many parts, including leaves, buds, flowers, stems, bark, roots, and gum, have been reported to have medicinal characteristics and are utilized in pharmacologic activities such as cytotoxicity, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, hypotensive, and anti-obesity. The plant's young roots are used to cure dysentery, diarrhea, and menorrhagia. The plant's fruits have diuretic properties, which are beneficial for bladder irritation and renal disorders. The plant's gum is also particularly effective in treating burning sensations, diarrhea, influenza, enteritis, and pulmonary TB. The plant's leaves offer anti-inflammatory qualities, as well as hypotensive and hypoglycemic properties.The plant's flowers function as a laxative, diuretic, and astringent, making it good for skin diseases such as acne and scarring. The flowers are also used to cure bleeding and conjectivitis. The plant's bark is extremely advantageous to the male reproductive system since it enhances the number and quality of sperm. The bark can also help with bleeding and wound healing. On the basis of all the available studies it can be concluded that the tree Bombax ceiba is loaded with lots of phytoconstituents and therapeutic properties. Furthermore it is very important to spread awareness regarding the medicinal and therapeutic importance of the plant and promoting its wide usage.

Abstract

Keywords