KARKATSHRINGI (PISTACIA INTEGERRIMA): PHYTOPHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

Karkatshringi (Pistacia integerrima) is an essential Ayurvedic medicinal plant belonging to the family Anacardiaceae. The plant originated in India and grows in the ranges of the north-western Himalayas. It is distributed over China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Nepal. The flowers of this plant is small and red, fruits are shiny and brown. Galls are hollow, horn-shaped, bitter and used for medicinal purposes. Gall powder is most commonly used in diseases such as cough, diarrhoea, fever, etc. also effective against staphylococci, pseudomonas and Escherichia coli bacteria. The different parts of the plant contain amino acids, sterols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins and saponin. In Pistacia integerrima, the volatile chemical constituents are extracted by hydro distillation or liquid-liquid extraction. Pistacia integerrimais associated with fungi which causes rust and blight diseases. Traditionally it is used for rheumatic pain, analgesic, and antipyretic effects. Karkatshringi is an important ingredient of Ayurvedic formulations like Chavyanprash, Dashmularista and Shringyadi Churna. Galls are used in the treatment of diarrhoea. Diabetic patients also use it. Essential oil of Pistacia integerrima was used for in-vitro studies like antioxidant activity, angiogenesis, and mast cell degranulation. Karkatshringi studied for its various activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-cancer, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-convulsant, muscle relaxant, etc. This article includes detail information of Pistacia integerrima related to chemical constituents and pharmacological activities.