Recent Pharmacological Advances of Endangered Species of South India: Garcinia indica Choisy

Garcinia indica Choisy of the family Clusiaceae is a medicinally important polygamodioecious tree. It is widely distributed throughout Asia, Africa and Polynesia. In India it is found in Western Ghats of South India and North Eastern states. All the parts of the tree is being used since ancient times in food preparations and known for its medicinal importance in treating acidity, ulcer, weight loss, inflammation, etc. Hydroxy citric acid and Garcinol are two major phytochemical present in this plant responsible for its various medicinal property and contains a large number of other important phytochemicals. This review provides a summary of the recent pharmacological advances in the past six years using the various Garcinia indica plant parts extracts. This pharmacological activity includes cardio protective, antacid, anthelminthic, anti-oxidant, anti-cancer activity, etc. Thus the review provides a background for the hyper-production and isolation of bioactive compounds from this medicinally important plant for treating various ailments. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous and methanol in vivo leaf extracts of Garcinia indica C. revealed the presence of many phytochemicals. When the total flavonoid content, total tannin content, total phenolic content and total phosphomolbednum reducing capacity was checked, flavanoid concentration in the methanol leaf extracts was more than 35 mg/100 ml which was much higher than the Garcinia cola seeds, Zingiber officinale stems, Gongronema latifolia leaves and Carica papaya leaves. Further studies will prove the bioactives responsible for curing different ailments. Hence, G. indica will be explored to understand the pathway, action and the compounds/bioactives responsible for different disease curing properties and its isolation and further pharmacological usage.