Critical review on tecomella undulata: A medicinally potent endangered plant species of indian thar desert

From time immemorial, man has remained dependant on plants and if we consider the historic perspective it is evident that the fascination for plants is as old as mankind itself. Tecomella undulata is a deciduous shrub or small tree, found in northwestern India and southern Pakistan. The plant is under threatened category due to its imprudent harvesting from wild. The plant is used to cure leucorrhoea, leucoderma, enlargement of spleen, traumatic wounds, hepatitis, piles, anorexia, flatulence, tumors, worm infestations and syphilis. Leaves of the plant contain certain compounds which are effective against HIV infection. Various compounds have been isolated from the plant parts mainly bark and leaves, viz Radermachol, lapachol, tecomaquinone-I, α-lapachone, β-lapachone, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and betulinic acid. In the present review, we have summarized the information concerning the occurrence, botanical description, applications, medicinal uses, biological activities and hepatoprotective studies on this plant.