Overview on the Recent in Pharmacological Profile of Terminalia Catappa

The leaves of the Combretaceae plant Terminalia catappa L. are commonly used in Southeast Asian traditional medicine to treat hepatitis and dermatosis. Tropical almonds (Terminalia catappa) are a large, spreading tree that can withstand strong winds, salt spray, and moderate salinity in the rhizosphere. They are found all over the world, from Indo-Malesia to Australia. Because of its vast fibrous root system, it plays an important ecological role in coastal stabilisation and prefers well-drained, aerated sandy soils. Terminalia catappa has significant ecological and commercial value. Its timber is prized as a long-lasting and aesthetically pleasing hardwood that may be used for furniture and interior building. It is grown for shade, ornamentation, and tasty nuts. Usually starting around age three, fruiting yields tasty and nutritious seeds that are eaten after being extracted. According to phytochemical research, the leaves' wide range of pharmacological actions are attributed to their abundance of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and phenolic chemicals. Numerous studies have shown that T. catappa has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and anticancer properties, Recent pharmacological studies have confirmed the multifunctional therapeutic effects of the plant, validating many of its traditional uses. Due to its rich phytochemicals profile and wide rang of biological activities, terminalia catappa represents a valuable candidate for further research in pharmaceutical and clinical application. The scientific names Phytolacca javanica osbeck, Terminalia Mauritian blanco, and Terminalia maluccana lamk are not preferred. Roxb Terminalia provera. Alite (Solomon Islands pidgin) is a common name. Societies: autaraa, aua, auarii, auari, and iraa (Cooks: mangaia) kamani haole, kamani, ula, fake kamani (Hawaii), kauariki, kaukauariki, and taraire Tropical, beach, or Indian almond (English) natapoa (Vanuatu: Bislama) Talie (Samoa) The fruit contains a lot of tannic acid, which can discolour sidewalks, pavement, and automobiles. Additionally, it leaves a lot of debris on the ground [3].

Botanical profile: -

Family: Combretaceae

Common names: include Indian almond, tropical almond, Malayalam's Badam, Hindi's Jangli Badam, and Tamil's Nattuvadumai. Widely distributed throughout tropical Asia, Africa, and coastal areas from North Australia and Polynesia to Malaysia

Conventional applications:

The Indian almond, or Terminalia catappa (Combretaceae), has long been used as an antidiabetic.

Terminalia catappa has been utilized as an Antioxidant

Terminalia catappa has been utilized as an hepatoprotective

Terminalia catappa has been utilized as an Anti-inflammatory

Terminalia catappa has been utilized as an Anti-cancer agent

The fact that T. catappa L. extracts has been previously reported to reduce the wound healing properties in rats when applied as a component of topical wound healing treatments. The ethanol extract of T. catappa L. leaves demonstrated antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties in animal models.

Bioactive constituents:

The study found that the leaves of Terminalia catappa L. contained terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, and coumarins [5]. Additionally, the leaves contained punicalagin, gallic acid, and an iso vitexine derivative. Chemical characterization of the phenolic-rich extracts of T. catappa also identified eleven chemical constituents, including gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, rutin, quercitrin, quercetin, and kaempferol. In addition, the leaf and stem bark revealed eight chemical constituents, including resveratrol, gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, ellagic acid, rutin, quercetin, quercetin, and phenolic compounds Respectively

Phytochemistry: -

The following describes the pharmacological bioactivity of a few of the identified phytochemicals in T. catappa:

Chebulagic Acid:

It is benzopyran tannin, which has been described as having hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and immunosuppressive properties. It exhibits antagonistic activity against both candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Terminalia chebula and Terminalia catappa contain it.

Gallic acid:

One well-known antioxidant phenolic compound is gallic acid. It produces protective activity against cardiovascular diseases by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing antioxidant enzymes. Gallic acid is a naturally occurring additive used in bio-based high-density polyethylene.

Quercetin: -

Because of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, this plant pigment has been employed extensively in medicine.  It helps prevent heart disease, lower inflammation, kill cancer cells, and regulate blood sugar levels.

 Oleanoic Acid:

 It is a pentacyclic triterpene found in nature.  It has anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic properties when bound with zinc metal.  Both antibacterial and anticancer properties against prostate cancer are demonstrated. 

Geraniin:

Geraniin has cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and analgesic qualities.  Both metabolic dysregulation and cardiovascular disease are treated with it

Fig.01: Chemical constituents of terminalia catappa L.

Description of the plant: -