Abstract

Monica M.*, D. Visagaperumal and Vineeth Chandy

ABSTRACT

Combretum indicum is commonly known as Basantilata in Bangladesh, Rangoon Creeper in English and Madhumalti in India. This plant belongs to the rich Combretaceae family. C.indicum is well known for its nutritional as well as medicinal value since many years. It is widely distributed all over the world, especially in China, India, Philippines, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, and in most tropical countries as ornamental plants. In addition to the traditional use, the presence of many phytoconstituents such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids (quercetin and rutin), tannins, steroids, carbohydrates, protein, alkaloid, terpenoids (B-sitosterol and lupeol), quisqualic acid, amino acids, saponins, two forms of the cysteine synthase, isoenzyme A and isoenzyme B (enzyme), etc. C.indicum exhibits a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antioxidant, antipyretic, anthelmintic, immunomodulatory, anti-staphylococcal, anti-rheumatic, antiviral, antifungal, antiseptic, anti-diabetic, anti- hyperlipidaemic, anti-cancer, acetyl cholinesterase inhibition, anti-diabetic, diabetes wound-healing, anti-dyslipidaemia, larvicidal, central nervous system activity, and reducing blood lipid level activity. This review seeks to examine the pharmacological, phytochemical, and pharmacognostic research that has been done on Combretum indicum leaves and other parts of the plant.