Albizia amara- A Potential Medicinal Plant: A Review

Albizia amara is an important medicinal plant found throughout India. The entire plant possess pharmaceutical constituents of great significance. The present article gives an update on bioactive compounds and medicinal importance of Albizia amara. This plant has been used as an important folk medicine for the treatment of several diseases like diarrhea, gonorrhea, skin diseases, poisonous bites and leprosy. Further, phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of wide variety of bioactive compounds such as macrocyclic spermine alkaloids, triterpene saponins, phenols, flavonyl glycosides, tannins, sterols in the plant extract of A. amara. In addition, the plant extract possess the pharmacological properties like anticancer, antihyperlipidimic, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic and antioxidant activities. Because of the presence of several phytoconstituents, pharmacological activities and wide distribution, this will be an ideal plant resource for the treatment of several endemic diseases.