CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL REVIEW OF OROXYLUM INDICUM (KURTZ.) WITH SPECIAL ACCENT TO HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY

Oroxylum indicum (Kurtz.), commonly known as Shyonaka, described in Ayurveda under the broad group of drug Dashamula, and is widely available throughout India. The plant is reputed for its anti-inflammatory effect. Several advanced chemical study with this plant has already been conducted and about 28 varieties of chemical compounds are obtained. Most important compounds are baircalein and Ellagic acid (EA). Both these two compounds exhibit important biological activities like anti-inflammatory on neuro-inflammation, anti-cancer and hepatoprotective effect. Potent hepatoprotective activity was observed in CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity and ethanol induced isolated goat liver. Probable mechanism of action of O. indicum may be due to free radical scavenging activities. The anti-inflammatory activity is due to its property of suppression the pro-inflammatory mediators like TNF-α, IL-6, NF-κB-p65 and iNOS.

Keyword: Oroxylum indicum, Ellagic acid, baircalein, hepato-protective activity, anti-inflammatory effect.