Ethnomedicinal Importance of Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis in Ranchi District of Jharkhand

Abstract

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis is one of well-known medicinal plants and many of its parts are used to treat different diseases. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn leaves are used broadly in Ayurvedic medicine for the cure of many ailments such as obstinate sciatica, malaria, chronic fever, rheumatism and internal worm infections, laxative, diaphoretic, diuretic and as a tonic. Nyctanthes arbor-tristis plants were collected locally in the month of October of the year 2017, from ecological zones of Ranchi, district, Jharkhand. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were prepared with the help of leaves and flower of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. Thereafter, these extracts were examined for phytochemical composition. The main phytochemical product is Nyctanthin obtained by the method of Hill and Sirkar. The phytochemical composition studies of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis leave shows that it contains tannic acid, methyl salicylate, amorphous glucosides, mannitol, resin, ascorbic acid, carotene, and traces of volatile oil. The phenolic components are also found most abundant among all other plant parts of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis. The aqueous leaf extract along with honey is used to treat cough and leaf paste together with honey is used for the treatment of fever, high blood pressure and diabetes. This extract of leaves is used as digestives, antidote to reptile venoms, mild bitter tonic, laxative, and diuretic, and also in enlargement of spleen. The leaves and flower of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis possess hepatoprotective activity proved with aqueous and ethanolic extract. The extracted leaf juice along with the sugar acts as a cholagogue, laxative and mild bitter tonic as a remedy for intestinal ailments for children.

Keywords: Aqueous, ethanol, extracts, nyctanthin, Nyctanthes arbor-tristis, phytochemical, sciatica

Cite this Article

Anil Kumar. Ethnomedicinal Importance of Nyctanthes Arbor-Tristis in Ranchi District of Jharkhand. Research & Reviews: A Journal of Drug Design & Discovery. 2019; 6(3): 8–11p.