Volume 161, 23 February 2015, Pages 255–278
Review
Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz, an important Asian traditional medicine: From traditional uses to scientific data for its commercial exploitation
Abstract
Ethnopharmacological relevance
Oroxylum indicum\
(L.) Kurz has been used for centuries as a traditional medicine in Asia
in ethnomedicinal systems for the prevention and treatment of several
diseases, such as jaundice, arthritic and rheumatic problems, gastric
ulcers, tumors, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and diarrhea and
dysentery, among others. The present review provides scientific evidence
supporting the therapeutic potency of the plant for ethnomedicinal uses
and identifies gaps for future research to facilitate commercial
exploitation.
Methods
This
review is based on available information on traditional uses and
phytochemical, pharmacological, clinical and toxicity data for Oroxylum indicum that was collected from electronic (SciFinder, PubMed, Science Direct, and ACS, among others) and library searches.
Keyfinding
A variety of traditional medicinal uses of Oroxylum indicum
in different Southeast and South Asian countries have been reported in
books describing the uses of these plants. Phytochemical investigations
of the different parts of the plant resulted in identification of
approximately 111 compounds, among which flavonoids, naphthalenoids and
cyclohexylethanoids are the predominant groups. The crude extracts and
their isolates exhibit a wide spectrum of in vitro and in vivo
pharmacological activities involving antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
anti-arthritic, anticancer, anti-ulcer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic,
antidiarrheal and antioxidant activities. Flavonoids are the major
constituents of all parts of the plant. From a toxicity perspective,
only aqueous and ethanolic extracts of stem bark, root bark and fruits
have been assessed and found to be safe.
The major
flavonoids of the stem bark, such as baicalein, chrysin and oroxylin A,
were reported for the first time as natural flavonoids with potent
inhibitory activity against endoprotease enzymes and proprotein
convertases, which play a key role in the growth of cancer and in viral
and bacterial infections. Flavonoids are the active components of
bioactive extracts. Several Ayurvedic medicines have been formulated
either singly using this plant or along with other herbs for the
treatment of different diseases.
Conclusions
Pharmacological results have supported some traditional medicinal uses of Oroxylum indicum.
Several extracts and their isolates have been reported to exhibit
interesting pharmacological properties. These components could be useful
as sources of modern medicines following future detailed studies to
elucidate their underlying mechanisms, toxicity, synergistic effects and
clinical trials. Attention should also be focused on pharmacological
studies investigating the traditional uses of the plant, which have not
been yet addressed, as well as clinical studies investigating commercial
Ayurvedic medicines and other ethnomedicinal preparations in human
subjects based on this plant to confirm the safety and quality of the
preparations.
Graphical abstract
Abbreviations
- ABTS, 2,2′-azino bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid;
- AGE, advanced glycation end products;
- AIU, aspirin-induced ulceritis;
- ALP, alkaline phosphatase;
- ALT, serum alanine aminotransferase;
- Aq. MeOH, aqueous methanolic;
- AST, serum aspartate aminotransferase;
- BSA, bovine serum albumin;
- bw, body weight;
- CRU, cold restrain induced ulcer;
- DCM, dichloromethane;
- DNBS, dinitrobenzene sulfonic acid;
- DNFB, 2,4-dinitrofluoro benzene;
- DPPH, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl;
- EE, ethanolic extract;
- EIA, enzyme immune assay;
- EIU, ethanol-induced ulcer;
- ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;
- FAS, cell surface death receptor;
- FRAP, ferric ion reducing antioxidant powder;
- FPS, fluorogenic peptide substrate;
- GLUT-4, glucose transporter-4;
- Gy, gray (SI unit of absorbed radiation per sec.);
- HDL, high density lipoprotein;
- IC50, concentration that causes 50% inhibition;
- i.p., intraperitoneally;
- LC50, concentration that kills 50% of the larvae within 24 h;
- LD50, dose of extract in g per kg body weight of mice to kill 50% of tested mice;
- LPL, lipoprotein lipase;
- LPO, lipid peroxidase;
- LPS, lipopolysaccharide;
- MIC, minimum inhibitory concentration;
- MTD, maximum tolerated dose;
- MPO, myeloperoxidase;
- MTT, 2-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2 yl)-3, 5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide;
- ND, new castle disease (=Ranikhet disease);
- WIRS, water immersion plus restraint stress;
- N/S, not stated;
- ORAC, oxygen radical absorbance capacity;
- PE, petroleum ether, b.p. 60-80 °C;
- p.o., per oral;
- PLU, pylorus ligation-induced ulcer (gastric lesions);
- PMA, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate;
- PPAR-γ, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma;
- SGOT, serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase;
- SGPT, serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase;
- STZ, streptozotocin;
- SALP, serum alkaline phosphatase;
- TBE, trypan blue exclusion;
- XTT, 2, 3-bis(2-methoxy-4-nitro-5-sulphenyl)-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide
Keywords
- Oroxylum indicum (L.) Kurz;
- Oroxylum flavum Rehder;
- Bignoniaceae;
- Traditional medicine;
- Asian countries;
- Scientific data
- Corresponding author. Tel.:
+91 3812519006.
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