THEPESIA POPULNEA FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF DIVERSE DISEASES: AN OVERVIEW

Thespesia populnea Linn., a member of the Malvaceae family also known as Portia tree, a plant commonly found in coastal and tropical regions of India. Its therapeutic properties have been recognized in ayurvedic medicine, which has been validated by modern scientific research. This paper highlights the chemical constituents and pharmacological profile of Thespesia populnea. The plant has shown remarkable potential as an anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antipsoriatic, antidiarrheal, anti-implantation, anticancer, and alzheimer’s disease management agent etc. Its extracts also exhibit a synergistic activity with oxytetracycline, a commonly used antibiotic. Additionally, the plant is used as a natural dye for various fabrics, a source of biodiesel and an anti-corrosive agent. Phytochemical analysis has exposed the presence of alkaloids, sesquiterpenoids, fatty acids, polysterol, glycosides and alkane in various extracts of the plant. These bioactive compounds are responsible for the diverse pharmacological activities exhibited by Thespesia populnea. The review provides advanced evidence to support the traditional knowledge of Thespesia populnea and highlights its potential as a source of novel drugs for various diseases. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of its bioactive compounds and to develop effective therapeutic interventions based on these compounds.