PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACEUTICAL EVALUATION OF Balanites aegyptiaca: AN OVERVIEW

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca, is one of the awfully potent neglected wild plant species found mainly in both African and South Asian deserts. It is a historical and elegant folkloric medicinal plant due to its curative nature towards diverse fatal diseases, it is conventionally utilized in management of a variety of ailments such as jaundice, intestinal worm infection, wound healings, malaria, syphilis, epilepsy, dysentery, stomach aches, constipation, diarrhea, haemorrhoid and asthma. Biochemical analysis of plant extract revealed the presence of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins and organic acids. Due to the presence of these active ingredients, it is served as antioxidant, antihelminthic, antimicrobial (mainly the fixed oil) immunostimulant, anticarcinogenic, antidiabetic, contraceptive antifeedant, antiviral and molluscicidal activities. In conclusion, this review explored the presence of various secondary metabolites from various plant parts of Balanites aegyptiaca.