Phytopharmacological and Phytochemical Review of Butea monosperma

Butea monosperma (Fabaceae), commonly known as Palas in Hindi is a medium-sized deciduous tree common throughout India, Burma and Ceylon. It finds use both medicinally and commercially with each part of the plant having utility. The plant is traditionally reported to possess astringent, bitter, alterative, aphrodiasiac, anthelmintic, antibacterial and anti-asthamatic properties. Bark yields red juice known as 'Butea gum' or 'Bengal kino'. It is powerful astringent and is given in many forms of chronic diarrhoea. Seeds have anthelmintic property especially for roundworms and tapeworms. Flowers yields a brilliant yellow coloring matter due to presence of chalcones. Palas wood is white or yellowish brown used mainly for well-curbs water-scoops and for fuel. The plant has been thoroughly investigated for its phytochemical and pharmacological behavior. As per phytochemical investigation, the ethanolic extract was fractionated by various organic solvents. Repeated column chromatography of chloroform fraction afforded nine compounds and the active n-butanol fraction afforded fourteen compounds and aqueous fraction afforded a single compound, which have been characterized by spectral study. As per pharmacological investigation, antistress & anthelmintic activity, anti-diarrhoeal activity, antihyperglycemic & antihyperlipaemic activity, wound healing and cytotoxic property were reported from different crude extracts and various isolated compounds from Butea monosperma. Today it is a challenge for scientists to provide efficient, safe and cheap medications. In this scinario Butea monosperma can be an exclusive medicine which is widely available through out our country.