Aesculus indica: An ethnomedicinal, phytochemical, and pharmacological review

Abstract

Aesculus indica , commonly known as Indian horse chestnut, is an indigenous tree of the family Sapindaceae, distributed in Nepal, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. As an ethnomedicine, its seeds are used to cure jaundice, chest diseases, stomach and joint pain, roots for leucorrhea, and bark for fever and anaemia. The phytochemicals of class phenolic, triterpenoid, glycoside, saponin, and fatty acid have been identified from their different parts and various biological activities such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, hypocholesterolemic, hypoglycaemic, anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, neuro-depressive, spasmolytic, immunomodulatory, anticancer, enzyme inhibitory, antimicrobial and insecticidal have been reported, which reflected its medicinal importance. However, most biological activities are on the extracts or fractions and need more in-depth study. Therefore, further research is required on the isolation, identification, and characterization of active phytochemicals from the extracts with their mechanism of pharmacological action and detailed toxicological evaluation. In this review, we aim to provide all information regarding traditional uses, morphology, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of A. indica and address the research gaps; therefore, will provide a source of information to the researchers for further studies.