Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) popularly known as Parijat is a plant of great importance in India. It is widely in Ayurvedic medicines. Each part of this plant has some medicinal value. It possesses extensive medicinal uses viz., antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antihelmintic, sedative effect, laxative, expectorant, in rheumatism. The present review aims to perform a detailed compilation of work done on this plant mainly as a source of the antioxidant and anticancer agent as well as various pharmacological properties from 1987 to till date. All these activities possessed by plants are due to the presence of multiple phytochemicals which can act as a source of active pharmacological agents. Crude extracts, as well as pure compounds like 4-hydroxy-hexahydrobenzofuran-7-one, 6β-hydroxyloganin and Arbortristoside A from seeds, a polysaccharide from leaves and Naringenin from the stem, are reported for its anticancer and antioxidant properties. The need of the hour is to provide scientific validation of ethnomedicinal use of this plant. The present study can be used to highlight the need for research and potential development of natural therapeutic products with lesser side effects.
Key words: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, Pharmacological activities, Antioxidant and Anticancer potential.
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