“PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF ACACIA CATECHU: AN OVERVIEW’’

Chandraprakash Dwivedi1 *, Suraj vishwas, Ankita Damahe, Siddharth Kumar Sahu, Nilesh Banarase ,Yogesh ponikar.

Corresponding Author:

Chandraprakash Dwivedi*

Chandraprakash9009@gmail.com

Apollo College of Pharmacy, Anjora, Durg, Chhattisgarh 491001, India1

ABSTRACT:

Ayurvedic medicine also known as Ayurveda, originated in India several thousand years ago. The term "Ayurveda" combines the Sanskrit words ayur (life) and Veda (science or knowledge) thus; Ayurveda means "the science of life. The medicinal plants are widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. Acacia catechu willd has been shown to possess multifarious medicinal properties such anti-bacterial, anticancer, anti-diarrhoeal ,anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-ulcer, antisecretory, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, sore throat and wound healing etc. The present review article provides up-to-date information on the medicinal properties of the plant. We have also tabulated the phytochemical constituents of Acacia catechu willd. We hope this review article will help the scientists working in the area of traditional medicines and medicinal food in their future endeavour.

KEYWORDS: acacia, anti-microbial agent, anti-inflammatory, medicine.

INTRODUCTION:

For centuries, plants and plant products have been used for treating various ailments. Several medicinal trees and their products are still widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. Various parts of the plants such as roots, stems, bark, gum, leaves, fruits, seeds and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Acacia catechu willd belonging to Family: Fabaceae and subfamily: Mimosoideae. The generic name, ‘acacia’, comes from the Greek word ‘akis’, meaning a point 1. The species name comes from 'cutch', a tanning extract isolated from its heartwood. Acacia catechu willd is a small or medium-sized, thorny tree up to 15 m tall; bark dark grey or greyish-brown, peeling off in long strips, or sometimes in narrow rectangular plates, brown or red inside; branches slender, puberlous when young but glabrascent, with 2 curved, 8-mm prickles at the base of each petiole2.It is a bark of tree belongs to family Leguminosae and is known as Babul or Babur in Hindi, Kikar in Punjabi3. Acacia is the most significant genus of family: Leguminosae, first of all described by Linnaeus in 1773. It is estimated that there are roughly 1380 species of Acacia worldwide, about two-third of them native to Australia and rest of spread around tropical and subtropical regions of the world4, 5. The family Fabaceae (alternatively known as the Leguminosae) is one of the largest families of flowering plants, consisting of 730 genera and over 19,400 species 6. The genus Acacia comprises about 1200 species, indigenous to tropical and subtropical regions, but found throughout the world 7, Medicinal plants and plant- derived medicines are widely used in traditional cultures all over the world and they are becoming increasingly popular in modern society as natural alternatives to synthetic chemical8, Immunomodulatory agents are used to either suppress or stimulate the immune responsiveness of an organism against the invading antigens. Several plant products have been reported for immune modulatory activity and many formulations of these plant products are available to enhance the immune system. The dried bark of Acacia catechu (family: leguminosae, sub family: mimosiasae) commonly known as Katha or Karangali is widely used in India for its various pharmacological effects. It is used in the treatment of passive diarrhea either alone or in combination with cinnamon or opium 9. Enteric or diarrhoeal infections are major public health problems in developing countries. Enteric Bacteria comprised of Salmonella sp., Shigella sp., Proteus sp.,Klebsiella sp., E. coli, Pseudomonas sp., Vibrio cholerae, and S. aureus, which are major etiologic agents of sporadic and epidemic diarrhoea both in children and in adults.10 recently, it has been demonstrated that many human pathogenic bacteria have developed resistance against several synthetic drugs. Available reports on lesser efficacy and more side effects of synthetic drugs need to search for alternative medicine11-13. Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder, has now become an epidemic with a worldwide incidence of 5% in the general population. The number of people

suffering from diabetes has soared to 246 million and the disease now kills more people than AIDS.14 Decreased physical activity, increasing obesity, stress and changes in food consumption have been implicated in its increasing prevalence over the past two decades.15 Overt diabetes affects 2–3% of the total world population. In conventional therapy, type 1 diabetes is treated with exogenous insulin and type 2 with oral hypoglycaemic agents (sulphonylureas, biguanides).16 Though different types of oral hypoglycaemic agents are available along with insulin for the treatment of diabetes, there is an increase demand by patients to use the natural products with antidiabetic activity.17, The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed more than 21,000 plants, which are used for many medicinal purposes around the world 18. They observed that about 74% of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines are used in modern medicine. It also estimates that 4 billion people (80 percent of the world population) presently use herbal medicine for health care.19

Table 1.1 Synonyms:

Sanskrit :

Gayatri

Assamese :

Kharira, Khara, Khayar

Bengali :

Khera, Khayera

English :

Black catechu, Cutch tree

Gujrati :

Khair, Kathe, Kher

Hindi :

Khair

Kannada :

Kaggali, Kaggalinara, Kachinamara, Koggigida

Kashmiri :

Kath

Malayalam :

Karingali

Marathi :

Khaira, Khair

Oriya :

Khaira

Punjabi :

Khair

Telugu :

Chandra, Kaviri

Urdu

Table 1.2 Taxonomical Classification:

Kingdom

Plantae

Subkingdom

Tracheobionta

Super division

Spermatophyta

Division

Magnoliophyta

Class

Magnoliopsida

Subclass

Rosidae

Order

Fabales

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Acacia

Species

nilotica

Table 3: Phytochemicals present in Acacia catechu willd

Fig 1: Acacia Catechu

Table 1.3 Phytochemicals present in Acacia catechu willd

S.No

Phytochemicals

Plant Part

1.

Flavanoids: Catechin, (-) epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, rocatechin, phloroglucinol, procatechuic acid, catecutannic acid, quercetin, quercitrin.

Heartwood

2.

Alkaloids: Kaempferol, dihydrokaempferol, taxifolin, (+)-afzelchin gum.

Leaves

3.

Glycosides: Poriferasterol, poriferasterol acylglucosides

Bark

4.

Tannins: Gallic acid, phlobatannins.

Bark

5.

Sugars: D-galactose, d-rhamnose and l-arabinose.

Bark

Table 1.4 Medicinal properties Acacia catechu wild

S.No.

Pharmacological activity

Phytoconstituents

1.

Antibacterial activity

Taxifolin

2.

Anticancer activity

Polyphenols

3.

Anti-diarrhoeal activity

Flavonoids

4.

Antifungal activity

Flavonoids, tannins

5.

Antimicrobial activity

Alkaloids, flavones, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids, tannins.

6.

Antioxidant activity

Carbohydrates, steroids, alkaloid, tannins, saponins, flavones.

7.

Anti-pyretic and Anti-inflammatory activity

Bioflavonoids

8.

Anti-secretory and Anti-ulcer activity

Flavonoids, tannins.

9.

Hepatoprotective activity

Bioflavonoids, phenolic compound

10

Hypoglycaemic activity

Flavonoids, alkaloids

11

Sore throat

Tannins

12

Wound healing activity

Tannins, flavonoids

Geographic Distribution20:

Native: India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand Exotic: Indonesia, Kenya, and Mozambique.

Part used:

Bark, Leaves, Heartwood.

CULTIVATION:

The tree can be propagated by planting its seeds, which are soaked in hot water first. After about six months in a nursery, the seedlings can be planted in the field .21

DISCRIPTION:

Plant Description:

Acacia nilotica is a single stemmed plant, grows to 15-18 m in height and 2-3 m in diameter. Pods and Seeds: Pods are 7-15 cm long, green and tomentose (when immature) or greenish black (when mature), indehiscent, deeply constricted between the seed giving a necklace appearance. Seeds are 8-12 per pod, compressed, ovoid, dark brown shining with hard testa 22. Leaves: The leaves are bipinnate, pinnate 3-10 pairs, 1.3- 3.8 cm long, leaflets 10-20 pairs, and 2-5mm long 23. Flowers: Flowers are globular heads, 1.2-1.5 cm in diameter of a bright golden yellow colour, develop either in axillary or whorly pattern on peduncles 2-3 cm long located at the end of branches 24. Stem: Stems are usually dark to black colored, deep longitudinal fissured, grey-pinkish slash, exuding a reddish low quality gum 25. Bark: The bark a tinge of orange and/or green (young tree), but older trees have dark, rough bark and tend to lose their thorns 26. Thorns: Thorns are thin, straight, light grey exist in axillary pairs (usually 3-12), 5-7.5 cm long in young trees. Root: Root is generally of brown colour in older and whitish in younger regions. Gum: The gum varies in colour from very pale yellowish brown to dark reddish brown depending on the quantity of tannins in the sample. The lighter, more highly valued gums are soluble in water and very viscous; the tannins in the darker gum reduce the solubility. The gum has a moisture content of about 13% and is slightly dextrorotary 27.’

Botanical Description:

It is an ever green tree, growing upto 10 meters in height. It is a small tree with dark brown or black longitudinally fissured bark; branch lets slender, terete and pubescent when young 28. The tree generally attains a height of 15 m and girth of 1.2 m, though trees up to a height of 30 m with a girth of 3 m have also been recorded29. The leaves are 2-pinnate, 5-10 cmlong; main rachis downy, often furnished with glands; petioles are 2.5-5 cm long; stipularspines very variable, 0.6-5cm long, and smooth .30

Active Constituents:

The main chemical constituent of acacia catechu are catechin, epecatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechingallate, phloroglucin, protocatechuic acid, quarcetin, poriferasterol glycosides, lupenone, procyanidin, kaemferol, L-arabinose, D-galactose, D-rhamnose and aldobiuronic acid, afzelchin gum ,mineral and taxifolin. Catechin: biologically highly active. It is used as a haemostatic agent.

Ayurvedic Properties of Heartwood and Action 31:

Rasa (taste): Tikta, Kasaya

Guna (property): Laghu, Ruksa

Virya (potency): sita

Phyto-Chemical Studies:

The concentration of Tannin in a bark varies considerably from 12-20%. Several polyphenolic compounds have also been reported in a bark .32

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES AND USES:

Antiviral Activity:

Rehman et al reported the activity of Acacia nilotica (A.arabica) against Hepatitis C Virus in liver infected cells. The results explain that acetonic andmethanolic extract of Acacia arabica (AN) showed more than50% reduction in nontoxic concentration33. The crude extract of the leaves of the plant showed in vitro antiviral activity against the Turnip mosaic virus. There was a decrease in lesions numbers on the hosts Chenopodium amaranticolor (93.77 %) and C. album (80.2 %). There was also decrease in lesions when the extract was on the host leaves. The bark extract inhibited the potato virus 34, 35..Singh R et al. (1972) evaluated the crude extract of the leaves of the plant showed in vitro antiviral activity against the Turnip mosaic virus. There was a decrease in lesions numbers on the hosts Chenopodium amaranticolor (93.77%) and C. album (80.2%) 36.

Anti mycotic activity:

A study was conducted to evaluate the anti mycotic activity of heartwood of Acacia catechu willd on selected fungal species like Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigates, Mucor spp and Penicilium marneffei. Disc diffusion technique was followed for screening anti-fungal activity. The results obtained from our study shows that ethanolic extract has got a very good anti mycotic activity against the selected fungal species37

Anti-Hypertensive and Anti-Spasmodic Activities:

Gilani etal reported that on using of methanolic extract of A. nilotica (A.acacia) reduces the arterial blood pressure and provides evidence of antihypertensive activities independent of muscarinic receptor stimulation38.

Antibiotic activity:

The plant extract showed potent antibiotic activity against four bacterial species: gram positive; Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus albus, Streptococcus faecalis; gram negative, Escherichia coli and two fungal species: Candida albicans and Aspergillus flavus examine by using paper disc diffusion method 39.

Antimalarial activity:

The root extracts of A. nilotica was active against Plasmodium berghei and Plasmodium falciparum in mice 40. In vitro Antimalarial activity against CQ sensitive (3D7) and CQ-resistant (Dd2 and INDO) strains of P. falciparum in culture using the fluorescence-based SYBR. A. nilotica was reported with significant activity and IC50 was found as 13μg/mL 41.

Anti-Diarrheal Activity:

Acacia nilotica has been reported to be very useful in treating diarrhea and cough in human 42. The powdered bark of the plant with little salt is used for treating acute diarrhea43. Agunua A., et al. (2005) described that medicinal plants [Acacia nilotica, Acantho spermum his pidum, Gmelina arborea, Parkia big lobosa and Vitex doniana] used in diarrhoeal treatment in Kaduna State, Nigeria, were investigated. This study was carried out on perfused isolated rabbit jejunum and castor oil-induced diarrhoea in mice. The aqueous methanol extracts (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mg/ml) were generally found to cause a dose-dependent response in the isolated rabbit jejunum, though this was not uniform in all the plants. Gmelina arborea and Vitex doniana showed concentration dependent relaxation at low doses (0.5, 1.0 mg/ml), but showed no significant relaxation at higher doses (2.0, 3.0 mg/ml). Other extracts showed biphasic effects. For example, Acacia nilotica at 3.0 mg/ml caused initial relaxation quickly followed by contraction. In the castor oil induced diarrhoeal, 100% protections were shown by extracts of Acacia nilotica and Parkia biglobosa (100, 200 mg/kg) while Vitex doniana showed a dose-dependent effect44. Ethyl acetate extract of Acacia catechu willd was evaluated for anti diarrhoeal property in castor oil induced model of diarrhoea in albino rats. Acacia catechu at a doses of 250 mg/kg (single doses) has been found to possess highly significant antipyretic activity (P<0.01) in respect of latent period of onset of diarrhoea, average number of stool passed and purging index45.

Antioxidant Activity:

Acacia species are rich source of polyphenol compounds, known to have strong antioxidant properties that help in prevention and therapy of various oxidative stress related diseases including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative and cancer 46. Methanolic extract of the plant containing keampherol which is responsible for antioxidant activity of the plant 47. As the Acacia catechu willd contain many potent flavonoids such as catechin present in this plant plays a vital role as anti-oxidant. Catechins and rutin are most important constituents which are free radical scavengers. Antioxidant principles of Acacia catechu willd were analysed by Dot‐blot assay & quantitative analysis by DPPH radical scavenging assay with ascorbic acid as standard 48, 49... Scavenging activity of the bark powder extract in various solvents using maceration process was reported by Del WE50. . Agrawal S (2010) explor edm ethanolic extract of plant have anti-oxidant activity which was found to be 9.88 μg/ml 51. Sultana B (2007) explained that different extracts of bark of Acacia nilotica Linn exhibited inhibition of oxidation of linoleic acid 44–90% while DPPH radical scavenging activity ranged from 49% to 87% 52.Singh R (2010) studied the fractionation of methanol extract, a fraction, AN-2, was isolated, which was identified by spectroscopic techniques, namely NMR and mass spectroscopy to be a coumarin derivative, i.e. umbelli ferone. The antioxidative activities, including the DPPH, deoxyribose (site and non-site specific), chelating power, reducing power and lipid peroxidation assays, were studied in vitro and performed. It was found that the anti-oxidative effect of umbelli ferone was dose dependent up to100 μg/ml and then levelled off with no further increase inactivity. This is the first report of the isolation and antioxidant potential of umbelliferone from A. Nilotica 53.

Anthelmintic, Analgesic & Anti-inflammatory activity:

In vitro methanolic extract of Acacia nilotica fruit exhibit anthelmintic activity against Haemonchus contortus at LC50 = 512.86 and 194.98 μg/ml concentration by the adultmotility assay, the egg hatch test and the larval development assay 54.

Anti-mutagenic:

The methanolic extract of the bark decreased the UV- induced mutagenicity using the Escherichia coli WP-2 in a dose of 5 mg/plate. This decrease might be due to some enzymatic action which reverted the formation of pyrimidine dimmers55. Gallic acid and polyphenols present in acetone extract of the plant are responsible for the antimutagenic activity 56. Acetone extract of Acacia nilotica exhibited antimutagenic activity against direct acting mutagens (NPD, sodium azide), and the S9-dependent mutagen 2-aminofluorene (2AF). The activity is estimated by employing the plate incorporation Ames Salmonella histidine reversion assay by using different strains of Salmonella typhimurium 57. Arora S et al. (2003) concluded that acetone extract of Acacia nilotica exhibited antimutagenic activity against direct acting mutagens of NPD, sodium azide, and the S9-dependent mutagen 2-aminofluorene (2AF). This mutagenic activity is determined by employing the plate in corporation. Ames Salmonella histidine reversion assay by using different strains of Salmonella typhimurium58.

Antiproteolytic:

Inhibition of total proteolytic (caseinolytic), tryptic (by hydrolysis of benzoyl arginine p-nitroanilide) and chymo tryptic (by hydrolysis of acetyl tyrosine ethyl ester) activities by ten species of legume seeds on human and bovine pancreatic proteases were studied. Acacia seeds extracts displayed more pronounced action on human trypsin and chymotrypsin, it was more effective in inhibiting the total proteolytic activity of the bovine system59.

Antifungal:

The extract of the flower revealed 65% inhibition against the conidial germination of alternaris solani after 10 hr of treatment60. The water extract of leaves inhibited the Mycelial growth of the plant pathogenic fungi Sarocladium oryzae (37%) and Fusarium oxisporum (69%) 61, while the ethanolic extract exhibited 51.13% inhibition of Rhizoctonia solani 62... Mahesh B et al. (2008) have concluded that antifungal activity of methanolic extracts and aqueous extract of Acacia nilotica with percentage inhibition ranging from 34.27±1.45 to 93.35±1.9963. Ethanolic extract of Heartwood of Acacia catechu willd was tested for antifungal (antimycotic) activity against Candida albicans, Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus fumigates, Mucor spp and Penicilium marneffei. Disc diffusion technique was followed for screening antifungal activity. The discs were loaded with 50μl of ethanolic extracts at different concentrations [25ug/disc, 250ug/disc and 500ug/disc]. Positive controls used were fluconazole (10 mcg/disc) and amphotericin B (100 units/disc). After incubation at 28oC for 48 hours, the zone of Inhibition was measured. The extract at different concentrations showed varying degree of antifungal activity against the microorganisms tested compared to standard64.

Antibacterial Activity:

Acacia catechu willd heartwood extract is found to be an effective antibacterial agent. A study conducted in ethanolic and aqueous heartwood extract of Acacia catechu willd, proved its efficacy as a potent anti-bacterial agent. Taxifolin present in heartwood of Acacia catechu willd is found to be responsible for its antibacterial effect. In vitro, Acacia catechu Willd is reported to have broad spectrum antimicrobial and antifungal activity. Phytochemical studies of Acacia

Catechu Willd leaves shows the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavones, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids and tannins which may be responsible for its antimicrobial activity. Methanolic extract of Acacia catechu Willd has antimicrobial activity against pathogenic as well as nonpathogenic bacteria e.g. Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans. It is effective against gram positive as well as gram negative bacteria65. B. Mahesh et al (2008) has observed antibacterial activity study of methanolic extracts of Acacia nilotica, showed highest antibacterial activity against B. subtilis. And Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 15±0.66mm and leaf extract showed highest activity against Bacillus subtilis with inhibition zone 20±1.20mm66. Mohan Lal Saini et al (2008) examined comparative antimicrobial studies of Acacia species and A. nilotica exhibited highest activity against three bacterial (Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi) and two fungal strain (Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger) 67. Mohan Lal Saini et al. (2008) examined antimicrobial activity of Acacia species and A. nilotica in comparative study, which exhibited highest activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi (bacteria); Candida albicans and Aspergillus Niger (Fungus) in methanolic extract68. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the stem bark extract of the plant ranged between 35 and 50 mg/ml while the minimum bactericidal concentration ranged between 35 and 60 mg/ml. A. nilotica could be a potential source of antimicrobial agents69.

Anti-cancer Activity:

Study was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of aqueous extract of Acacia catechu willd heartwood in a human epithelial carcinoma cell line (A431) and anti-tumour activity against DMBA/TPA induced squamous cell carcinoma in Balb/c mice. It was investigated that chemo preventive effect of aqueous extract of Acacia catechu willd heartwood maybe was due to its polyphenolic compounds that exhibit powerful antioxidant activity70.

Antimicrobial Activity:

In vitro Acacia catechu willd is reported to have broad spectrum anti-microbial activity. Phytochemical studies of Acacia catechu willd leaves shows the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, flavones, glycosides, phenolic compounds, saponins, steroids and tannins which may be responsible for its anti-microbial activity71. G. O. Solomon-Wisdom et al (2010) has investigated in vitro antimicrobial activity of the crude ethanolic leaf extract of Acacia nilotica linn against Campylobacter coli isolated from goats. The highest zone of inhibition was observed with the 70 mg/ml concentration72. Methanolic and aqueous extracts of Terminalia chebula, Mimusops elengi, Achyranthes aspera, Acacia catechu, Acacia arabica and Glycyrrhiza glabra was tested for their antibacterial activity against six dental infection microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylo coccusmutans, Staphylococcus salivarius, Staphylococcus sanguis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Candida albicans. These phytochemical analyses of these plants showed synergistic antimicrobial effect73.

Antipyretic and Anti-inflammatory Activity:

To prove the effect of Acacia catechu willd in yeast induced pyretic rats Ray et al., conducted a study in Albino rats (150-200 g) after inducing fever by injecting subcutaneously 20% suspension of dried yeast in 2% gum acacia in normal saline at a dose of 20 ml/kg of body weight. The ethyl acetate extract of Acacia catechu willd and aspirin significantly decreased the temperature of pyretic rats at 2nd, 3rd and 4th hour after drug or extract treatment. The chief major active chemical components of Acacia catechu willd are Flavanoids which inhibit Cyclooxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase and hence decrease inflammation. Mixed extract of Scutellaria baicalensis and Acacia catechu willd inhibit Prostaglandin E2 generation in human osteosarcoma cells which express COX-2, and leukotriene production is also inhibited in human cell lines. Baicalin from Scutellaria baicalensis and catechin from Acacia catechu willd are responsible for dual inhibition of Cyclooxygenase and 5-Lipoxygenase74, 75.

Anti-secretory and Anti-ulcer Activity

Study was conducted on antisecretory and antiulcer activity of Acacia catechu willd against indomethacin plus pyloric ligation induced gastric ulcers in rats. The results of the study suggested that Acacia catechu willd causes an inhibitory effect on release of gastric hydrochloric acids and protects gastric mucosal damage due to presence of flavanoids and tannins in the plant extract76.

Hepatoprotective Activity:

Flavonoid constituents of the extract of Acacia catechu willd possess antioxidant properties and are found to be useful in the treatment of liver damage.77

Immunomodulatory Activity:

Immuno modulatory activity of aqueous extract of Acacia catechu after oral administration (5 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg). The effect was studied in neutrophil adhesion test, mice lethality test, carbon clearance assay, cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia, serum immunoglobulin levels and the heam agglutination test. Acacia catechu extract showed an increase in the neutrophil adhesion to the nylon fibres, produced a significant increase in the phagocytic index and a significant protection against cyclophosphamide induced neutropenia indicating its effect on cell mediated immunity.78

Sore throat:

This is very common in Asia especially in central Asian countries like Pakistan and India and most common home remedy used for sore throat.79

Wound healing:

In Asia crushed bark of Acacia catechu is used topical on wounds as it is potent wound healing medicinal plant. It has astringent effect and also cause precipitation of skin which makes it very good wound healing plant. Furthermore it also exhibits antimicrobial property which prevents growth of microbes on wounds. This activity is due to presence of tannins and flavanoids in bark of Acacia catechu.80

Miscellaneous uses:

Used in India as an ointment for indolent ulcers and has been used in rural Bangladesh as a component of an anti-fertility pill, arresting nose bleeds, chronic gonorrhea can be treated with an infusion of catechu. Decoction of bark mixed with milk is taken to cure cold and cough. Decoction is taken as tea by the pregnant ladies to keep warm their body.81

Anti-diabetic activity

In India, a number of plants are mentioned in ancient literature (Ayurveda) for the cure of diabetic conditions. Acacia catechu Willd (Cutch tree) is commonly used by many traditional healers in most of the herbal preparations for diabetes82. Wadood A etal (1989) evaluated the A. nilotica ssp. Indica fed for one week were found to exhibit hypoglycaemic effect (blood sugar lowered by 25.05%), in normal rats, but did not show any significant hypoglycaemic effect in all oxanised diabetic rats (blood sugar lowered by 2.14%). The hypoglycaemic effect of the legumes was due to its direct or indirect stimulation of β–cells of islets of Langerhans to secrete more insulin.82

Antiplasmodial activity:

Aqueous root extract of A.nilotica was analyzed for antiplasmodial activity in mice. Acute toxicity of the extract was studied using Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) guideline 423.Suppressive activity, curative and prophylactic effect was studied in chloro quine-sensitive Plasmodium berghei NK 65 infected mice. Five groups, of five mice in each group were used. Group 1or control, was administered with 10ml distilled water/kg bodyweight; groups 2, 3 and 4 were administered with 100, 200, and400 mg extract/kg body weight, respectively, while group 5 was administered with 5 mg chloroquine/kg body weight. The doses were administered orally. All doses of the extract produced significant, dose dependent, chemo suppressive activity against the parasite in the suppressive, curative and prophylactic tests. This is comparable to the group treated with chloroquine. The extract also prolonged the mean survival time of treated mice compared to the untreated group. The oral median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of the extract in mice was 5000 mg/kg body weight. The results of this study showed that the aqueous root extract of Acacia nilotica is safe and has anti-plasmodia activity.83

MARKETED PRODUCT:

Fig: 2 Urban Platter Acacia Catechu Powder (Katthha), 200g

Fig: 3 Khadira capsule

Fig: 4 MITS Healthcare Private Limited - offering MITS Scutellaria Baicalensis and Acacia Catechu 500 Mg. (Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 5 A Blend of Extra of Scutellaria Baicalensis & Acacia Catechu with GlucosamineTablets

(Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 6 Katha Powder - Acacia Catechu

Fig: 7 Macvestin Total Sachet contains Collagen, Methylsulfonylmethane, Univestin, Chondroitin, M, Boswellia serrata, Curcumin, Rose hip extract, Withania

(Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 8 Suctelleria Baicalensis Acacia Catechu

(Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 9 Patanjali Toothpaste, Dantkanti toothpaste benefits, Patanjali Dantkanti

Fig:10 Morpheme Khadir (Acacia Catechu) 500mg Extract 60 Veg Caps (skin Allergies)

Fig: 11 Acacia Catechu Extract 580 mg 60 Caps

Fig: 12 Acacia catechu extract, Bioherba, 60 Capsules, 250 mg

Fig: 13 PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONThe product contains Acacia Catechu and Scutellaria Baicalensis .It is used for gastrointestinal disorders.

Fig: 14 Suctelleria Baicalensis Acacia Catechu Approx Price: Rs 125.00 /Box(s) Suctelleria Baicalensis+Acacia Catechu Tablets(Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 15 Product description

Suctelleria Baicalensis Acacia Catechu (Anti-inflammatory and analgesic)

Fig: 16 Himalaya Koflet Syrup - 100 ml (Pack of 2)Product description

Ingredients: Madhu 126g, Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) 7.31mg, Trikatu 2.40mg, Kulanjana (Alpinia galanga) 0.97mg, Khadira (Acacia catechu) 0.74mg, Lavanga (Syzgium aromaticum) 2.10mg, Sukshmaila (Elettaria cardamomum) 0.06mg, Darusita (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) 0.02mg.

CONCLUSION:

For centuries, plants and plant products have been used for treating various ailments. Several medicinal trees and their products are still widely used by the traditional medical practitioners for curing various diseases in their day to day practice. Acacia catechu willd belonging to Family: Fabaceae and subfamily: Mimosoideae. The generic name, ‘acacia’, comes from the Greek word ‘akis’, meaning a point. The main chemical constituents of Acacia catechu willd flavanoids, alkaloids, sugars, glycosides, tannins. Acacia catechu willd has been shown to possess multifarious medicinal properties such anti-bacterial, anticancer, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, sore throat and wound healing etc. The present review article provides up-to-date information on the medicinal properties and phytochemical constituents of Acacia catechu willd. We hope this review article will help the scientists working in the area of traditional medicines and medicinal food in their future endeavor.

REFERENCES:

1. Lakshmi T., Anitha R., Geetha RV... Acacia catechu willd -A gift from ayurveda to mankind – A Review. T. Ph. Res, 2011; 5(2): 273-93.

2. Singh KN and Lal B. Notes on Traditional Uses of Khair (Acacia catechu Willd.) by Inhabitants of Shivalik Range in Western Himalaya Ethnobotanical Leaflets, 2006; 10: 109-12.

3. Prasad G. and Reshmi M.V., A Manual of Agrosbios (India), 97-99 (2007)

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