Comprehensive Dossier on Ayurvedic Medicinal plant Acacia catechu Willd. : A Review

Kalyan Hazra1*, Achintya Kumar Mandal2, Sreya Dutta3, Dhirendra Nath Mondal4, Jayram
Hazra5
Page No. 53-87

The plant Acacia catechu, commonly known as the cutch tree is a tropically abundant plant which is
widely used in Indian subcontinent with some presence in Central Asia and in China. The species
has lent its name to important catechins, catechols. The most used part of this plant is stem or
heartwood as water extract. Some pharmacological demonstrations have also been done with ethyl
acetate extract. Leaves of the plant found some primary applications in biological actions. Presence
of several polyphenolic compounds like tannins, flavonoids are responsible for many biological
activities. The ethno pharmacological values of the plant make it a potent therapeutic and cosmetic
agent. In the present review, comprehensive information on pharmacognostic evaluation, botanical
aspects, therapeutic values, modern pharmacological activities and chemical constituents along
with their 1H NMR data are provided to explore the potential and to advance research.
Keywords: Acacia catechu, Pharmacognosy, Therapeutic activity, Chemical constituents, 1H NMR,