Uddhav Patangia,Ankita Wal,Divyanshi Gupta,Indu Singh,Pranay Wal

1Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry,Girijananda Chowdary Institute of Pharmaceutical Science,Tezpur Assam 784501,India.2Department of Pharmacy,Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology(Pharmacy),Kanpur 209305,India.

Abstract Earth is a heritage of plants with an abundance of species,many of which are known among us,but many of them are still unknown for us.There are many traditional plants which have been used formedicinal purposes since ancient times,and Nagkesar (Mesua ferrea Linn) is one of them,which is grown in many countries like India,Indochina,Nepal,Thailand,Sri Lanka and many other countries.It is used to treat diseases like bleeding piles,renal disease,dysentery,fever,and asthma,as well as bacterial and fungal infections.It is known for its medicinal properties but has also been used as an ornamental plant since ancient times.It contains active phytoconstituents like steroids,coumarins and their derivatives,terpenoids,xanthones and their derivatives,flavonoids and pyranoxanthones,which act as precursors of other ailments.The goal of this study is to summarise the all-pharmacological activities of Nagkesar as well as some novel uses of Nagkesar.A thorough bibliographic investigation was launched by examining internationally recognized scientific databases such as Cochrane library,PubMed,ScienceDirect,Web of Science,Google scholar,and several data sets from Herbalist library.We searched several clinical trial databases of the recent past year and previous systematic reviews from 1980-2022.In this review article,all probable pharmacological effects of the Nagkesar plant,as well as the active components responsible for the biological role,are discussed.Nagkesar is important in the treatment of a variety of ailments.Inflammation,bleeding piles,bronchitis,severe infection,fungal growth,diarrhea,and kidney disease are among conditions that can be treated with the Nagkesar plant.

Keywords: Nagkesar;phytochemistry of Nagkesar;pharmacological profile of Nagkesar;miscellaneous activity of Nagkesar

Background

Nagkesar (Mesua ferreaLinn) is one of the ethnobotanical plants.It is used traditionally and also much research is going on it for the exploration of more activities of Nagkesar.Plants that originated drugs are widely used due to social and cultural beliefs,and they are still used today due to ethnobotanical plants used since ancient times[1,2].Ayurveda,Siddha,Unani,Egyptian,and Chinese systems of medicine play an important role in the use of herbal or plant-based drugs from ancient era to the modern era [3].Nowadays,formulation is either plant-based or contains some amount of herbal material with chemicals[4,5].It is used in the formulation of Chyawanprash,which contains plant material used in the improvement of the immune system [6].It was originated by J.Mesue and its Latin meaning is“belonging to iron”,which refers to very hard and durable timber.The Nagkesar belongs to the family of Guttiferae,which has different genera like Mesua,Cratoxylum,Garcinia,Hypericum,and Vismia.It contains a total of 46 genera with 100 species,which are mainly found in Asia,Polynesia,Brazil,Africa,and New Caledonia.Commonly,it is known as Indian rose chestnut,poached egg tree,Ceylon ironwood,ironwood tree,mesua,cobras saffron.It has been used since traditional or ancient times for the treatment of fever with cough and cold.Nagkesar leaves and the seeds of Nagkesar are useful in the treatment and therapy of various diseases.

In recent research,it was found that Nagkesar has many pharmacological therapeutic activities like antimicrobial,anti-inflammatory,anticancer,antifungal,and immunomodulatory effects.Nagkesar is used by Assamese tribes as a purgative,antiseptic,bitter tonic,worm control,and blood purifier [7].Traditional Thai people used Nagkesar to treat fever,asthma,and colds,as well as as a cardio tonic,carminative,diuretic,expectorant,and antipyretic [8,9].According to folk remedies,every part of this plant is used in the form of herbal medicine for the prevention or treatment of diseases such as:leaves are used as antidotes for snake bite and scorpion sting and leaf ashes for sore eyes;flowers are used as antidotes,expectorant,astringent,and astringent;their extracted oil is used for poultice,sores,wounds,scabies,cutaneous infection,and rheumatism [10].Its taxonomical classification is as follows in Table 1[11].

Morphology

Its size ranges from medium to large,with a height of 20-30 m[12].It is short-trunked with buttresses at the base of the plant.Leaves are red in colour during their mature phase and then turn green afterward[13,14].Flowers are white with a fragrance,and they contain yellow-colored stamens.Leaves look simple,ovate and narrow in shape,with a size of 3 to 5 inches long.Fruits are long,about 2.5 to 5.0,with an oblong shape,and their appearance is ovoid-globose,which has conical-point,striate,1-10 loculed,1-4 seeded [15].Seeds are dark brown in colour,and the cotyledon is fleshy and oily [16].Every part of this plant is edible and useful for us.

Table 1 Taxonomical classification of Nagkesar

Geographical distribution

It is an evergreen plant that is found in many countries like Indochina,Nepal,Sri Lanka,Myanmar,Thailand,Burma,Philippines,Cambodia,and India.It is mainly grown in Andaman,East Bengal,and Assam and covers the evergreen rain forest of the Western Ghats [17].Studies conducted on the genome sequence of Nagkesar help in the competitive study with other topical forest plants,which helps in the study of demographic historical changes with climatic changes in the plants which are found in the topical forest and determine the evolutionary changes from the eras[18].

Basically,the plant contains phenyl coumarins,xanthones,steroids,flavonoids,terpenoids,and pyranoxanthones (Figure 1),which are secondary metabolites,some of which act as precursors.The following 4-phenylcoumarins are isolated from Nagkesar seed oil: mesuone,mesuagin,mammeigin,mesuol,and mammeisin [19-21].4-alkylcoumarins A and B,a lupeol-type triterpenoid-guttiferol,ferraxanthone,1,6-trihydroxyxanthone,1,5-dihydroxyxanthone,mesuaxanthones (A)and mesuaxanthones (B),1-hydroxy-7-methoxyxanthones,1,7-dihydroxyxanthone,and β-sitosterol were produced by the trunk.The kernel of the seed contains 75% of yellow oil,which consists of glycerides,linoleic,o-leic,stearic,and arachidic-acids,fatty acids,and Nahor is one of the oils which is extracted from the seed of Nagkesar [22].A stamen contains mesuone,1,5-dihydroxyxanthone,mesuaferrol,euxanthins,leucoanthocyanidin,β-sitosterol,mesuanic acid,euxanthins,7-methyl ether,alpha and beta-amyrin,which help in the yielding of Nagkesar[23].Xanthone derivatives like euxanthones and some essential oils are also extracted from part of the plant.Mesuaxanthones (A) and mesuaxanthones (B) are two new yellow pigments that have been found in Nagkesar heart wood [24].

Pharmacological profile

Figure 2 shows the active parts of the Nagkesar plant,which are used to treat and manage a wide range of health problems.

Anti-oxidant activity

Figure 1 Chemical constituents of Nagkesar plant

Figure 2 Pharmacological activities of Nagkesar plant

According to the in vitro study conducted on 3 different species of Nagkesar,likeCinnamomum wightii Meisinfrom the family Lauracea,Mesua ferreaL.from the family Guttiferrea,andOchrocarpus longifoliusBenth &Hook F.from the family Guttiferrea,shows the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds or components in the Nagkesar,which are responsible for antioxidant property [25].Nagkesar leaves show significant antioxidant activity,which shows activity against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)free-radical scavenging.Ethanol extracts show 70% of antioxidant activity [26].Another study of antioxidants by using methanol extract of Nagkesar flower possesses activity against DPPH free-radical,super-oxide and hydrogen-peroxide in scavenging-assays [27].A study on Nagkesar root methanol polar extract discovered that it was more active than less polar or non-polar extract [28].Nagkesar flower extract in water and hot water shows stronger antioxidant activity against DPPH in a scavenging assay and these extracts are more effective than butylated hydroxytoluene,which is a standard antioxidant agent with an EC50value of 6.95-7.49/mL [29].Nagkesar stem bark extract in chloroform and methanol shows antioxidant activity in the in vitro models,and this study reported that it protects red blood cells(erythrocytes),hemoglobin and DNA from oxidative stress without damaging healthy cells of the body.Studies reveal that methanol extract is more effective than chloroform extract [30].A recent study conducted on Nagkesar stamen extract in n-hexane solvents shows activity against free radicals with an IC50value of 66.3 μg/mL [31].Female Whistar rats showed that dried flowers of Nagkesar extracted in methanol have antioxidant and liver-protecting effects and this study has been done with the help ofStaphylococcus aureus,which is administered in the form of drinking water for 24 hours during the experiment.The results revealed that reduction in the catalase (CAT),the glutathione (GPX),the glutathione reductase (GR) and the alanine aminotransferase while creatinine phosphokinase and creatinine remained the same,showed no activity in the mice[32].At 100 g/mL,an ethanolic extract of Nagkesar flower has a strong inhibitory action(96.03%) against nitric oxide.Nagkesar leaf extract in a mixture of water-ethanol (1:1) shows significant inhibitory action on lipid peroxidation [33].Some Ayurvedic formulations,i.e.,Brahma rasayana &maharishi Amrit kalash-4 which contains Nagkesar,show significant antioxidant activity in the isolated rat heart and cold stressed chicken [34,35].Nagkesar extract shows the anti-oxidant activity by balancing the redox reaction and showing the direct antioxidant effect as shown in Figure 3.

Anti-inflammatory activity and analgesics activity

Extract of Nagkesar stem bark in ethanol shows 80%anti-inflammatory activity in comparison with Indomethacin.During this study,it was found that the 100,200 and 500 μg/mL concentration of ethanol extract shows a stronger effect of anti-inflammatory action in the in vitro bioassays [36].Nagkesar with other herb combinations (Shishavaleha) shows activity against oedema in albino rat paw induced by carrageenam and mesua-xanthones-A (MXA) (37%) and mesua-xanthones-B (MXB)(49%),respective responses [37].Nagkesar shows anti-inflammatory action because of the presence of xanthone derivatives like MXA,MXB,euxanthones,calo-phyllin-B,dehydro-cycloguanandin,jacareubin and the 6-desoxy jacareubin.MXA and MXB also inhibit the granuloma pouch test,with MXA showing 46% activity and MXB showing 49% activity when combined with the normal group.Xanthones show significant anti-inflammatory activity in normal rats and also show effective responses in adrenalectomized rats,showing MXA (38%) and MXB (22%) responses.Xanthone derivatives can also reduce cotton pellet granuloma tests by up to 47% [38].Nagkesar leaf extract (125 &250 mg/kg) in different solvents such as n-hexane,ethyl-acetate,and methanol shows significant analgesic action against writhing-response and visceral pain in mice induced by acetic acid.The lower dose of different solvent extracts is 36.09%,16.33% &10.21% and the higher dose of different extracts is 42.21%,19.63% &17.06% [39,40].Nagkesar inhibits cytokines and mediators and aids in the inflammation and analgesics activity as shown in Figure 4.

Anti-venom activity

Nagkesar plays a significant role in toxicity which occurs during chemotherapy of breast cancer,Nagkesar is present in maharishi Amrit kalash-4,which is found to have a significant effect in reducing toxic levels [41].Nagkesar leave extract in aqueous solvent shows activity against fibroblast cell lysis,which is induced with the help ofHeterometric laoticusscorpion venom.Viability of fibroblast cell lysis shows result after 30 min when treatment with extract shows protective action against venom induced lysis in the mock-control group with 0.71 mg/mL and 0.41 mg/mL [42].Anti-venom activity of Nagkesar extract was explained in Figure 5.

Antispasmodic activity

Nagkesar seed oil extract in petroleum possesses antispasmodic activity,in the rat ileum in in vitro studies.Acetylcholine and carbachol show contraction up to 2.61 cm and 3.2 cm.Different crude oil concentrations,such as 1:5 and 1:10,normally reduce acetylcholine contraction by up to 70% and 86%,respectively.Normally,atropine reduces the acetylcholine response by up to 55%.activity of the rat ileum was measured with the help of a kymograph[43].

Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.Nagkesar Churna (contains whole plant of Nagkesar) shows effective results with Pranayama in the treatment of disease irritable bowel syndrome on patient with age group 20-40 and already affected with irritable bowel syndrome.It is functional disorder which causes cramps due to the intestinal wall become sensitized to the mild stimulus.According to the study report,a significant improvement was observed by the use of formulation[44].It helps in reducing the colonic motility and thereby,helps in irritable bowel syndrome.Powder of Nagkesar aids digestion and also increased the vital capacity of lungs getting increased for the proper utilization of prana.Hence,it was assumed that the Nagkesar plant shows anti-spasmodic effect by inhibition the action potential generation in the acetyl choline and muscarinic receptor which is further responsible for the inhibition of myosin which results in the smooth muscles relaxation and therefore also relax colonic motility and cramps as shown in Figure 6.

Hepatoprotective activity

Methanol extract of Nagkesar stamen shows improvement in liver-enzymes like superoxide dismutase,CAT,GPX,and GR with a decrease in levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin and Aspartate aminotransferase enzymes.Dried flowers of Nagkesar extract in methanol have antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity,as demonstrated by female Whistar rats.The results revealed that reduction in the CAT,GPX,GR and the alanine aminotransferase,while creatinine phosphokinase and creatinine remained the same,showed no activity in the mice.At 100 g/mL,an ethanolic extract of Nagkesar flower has a strong inhibitory action or activity (96.03%)against nitric oxide.Nagkesar leaf extract in a mixture of water-ethanol (1:1) shows significant inhibition action on lipid peroxidation.Another hepatoprotective activity of different Nagkesar stamen extracts is found to be an effective decrease in oxidative stress on liver cell culture which is induced with the help of carbon tetrachloride in the in vitro model,but n-hexane and ethanol extract were found effective against oxidative stress [45,46].It was found that the due to the presence of phenolic compounds in different part of Nagkesar plant like leaf,flower &stamen which is extracted into different solvent system i.e.,methanol,ethanol &water possess hepatoprotective property which involved mechanism that transferring of hydrogen atom,by transferring of a single electron,sequential loss of proton by electron transfer and by chelation of the transition of metals.

Figure 3 Nagkesar shows anti-oxidant activity

Figure 4 Nagkesar shows potent anti-inflammatory and analgesics activity.MAPK,mitogen-activated protein kinases;TLR4,Toll Like Receptor 4;JNK,C-Jun Kinase enzyme;ERK,extracellular signal-regulated kinase;HO-1,Heme oxygenase 1;Nrf2,Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2;ARE,Antioxidant response element.

Figure 5 Nagkesar role in anti-venom activity

Figure 6 Anti-spasmodic activity of Nagkesar plant. Due to its relaxation property,it is also prefer in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.

Antimicrobial and antifungal activity

Phytochemical,coumarins like (4-alkyl as well as 4-phenyl 5,7-dihydroxy-coumarins) and their derivatives 6-acyl 8-prenyl derivatives (mixtures of isomeric coumarins (MF)1 with MF2),8-acyl-6-prenyl-derivatives (MF3 with MF4),6-acyl-7,8-dihydro-furano-derivatives (MF5 with MF7),6-acyl-7,8-pyrano derivatives (MF8 with MF9) which is obtained from Nagkesar flower having significant antimicrobial-action against gram-positive bacteria as well as Gram-negative bacteria and the strains of fungi like falciparum.MF5,MF8 &MF9 possess activity against genus ofStaphylococcus&Enterococci.Mesua derivatives possess higher minimum inhibitory concentration 50% with 2-4 μg/mL dose [47].Methanol extract of Nagkesar leaves possess antibacterial activity against different strain of bacteria likeShigella,Salmonella,Staphylococcus aureusandEscherichia colitested in the mice [48,49].Nagkesar stem bark polar extract effective against both type of bacterial-strain i.e.,Gram-positive and Gram-negative [50].Nagkesar flowers also show activity against the five different-different strains of Salmonella species and the extracts was effective at 50 μg concentration on all five-type bacterial strain.The flower extract possesses in vivo anti-bacterial activity in theSalmonella typhimurium,national collection of type cultures 74 in the mice &shows significantly reduces the viable count of strains present in liver,spleen-en and heart-blood with 2-4 mg/mouse [51].Methanolic extracts of Nagkesar seeds possess anti-fungal activity against different strains of fungi or fungus likeCandida-albicans,Mucor-hiemalisand the other species [52].Another study report shows that Nagkesar seed oil contains epoxy resin which is effective against the Klebsiella-pneumonia which is Gram negative &theStaphylococcus aurenswhich is Gram-positive strains of bacteria [53].Gel formulation containing Nagkesar found effective against skin infection with resistant strains caused which is caused by Corynebacterium species,Pseudomonas aeruginosa&Staphylococcus aureus[54].The different bio-oils extracts of Nagkesar effective against different strains of bacterial and fungal infection [55].

Due to the presence of coumarins derivative which is obtained from different part of Nagkesar plant like seed,stem,bark,flower &leaves which extract out into the methanol &other polar solvent system and it involves the inhibition action of coumarins derivatives which is depend upon the substitution pattern and it also work on apoptosis.Additionally,xanthones are prized for their powerful antibacterial and antifungal effects.These outcomes assist in preventing fungal and viral infections as well as the removal of some carcinogens from the body’s systems.Additionally,the dried mangosteen rind’s xanthones are beneficial for keeping good skin [56].The mechanism of anti-microbial activity of Nagkesar plant was explained in the Figure 7.

Central-nervous system depressant and anti-convulsant activity

Figure 7 Anti-microbial activity of Nagkesar plant

Phytoconstituent of Nagkesar,xanthones and their derivative found effective in central nervous system (CNS) depressant effects,like sedative-effect,loss of muscle-tone and reduced in spontaneous activities.CNS gross behavior screened in mice with a dose of ten,twenty-five,fifty,hundred,two-hundred &five hundred mg/kg.The changes in behavior were recorded at fifteen,thirty,sixty &hundred-twenty min.Results show CNS depressant activity at dose 200 mg/kg.Nagkesar flower extract shows anticonvulsant activity against Phenobarbital induced convulsant activity.Ethanolic extract of Nagkesar flower shows anticonvulsant activity in three different concentrations (200,400 &600 mg/kg.p.o.) by using maximum electro-shock seizure (MES) test with albino-mice.Extracts minimize the duration or time span of hind-limb-tonic-extension in a dose dependent act against the MES model and show activity against convulsions which is induced by MES model and results are 100% (P＜0.01)for 200 mg/mL,60%(P＜0.01)for 400 mg/mL and 100%(P＜0.001) for 600 mg/mL.This study shows increment in onset time and decrement in duration of seizures by MES model [57].

Cardioprotective activity

Marketed polyherbal formulation (Ashwagandha Rishta) contains Nagkesar stamen shows activity against myocardial infarction in the albino-rat model which is induced by isoproterenol.Treatment with polyherbal shows significant changement in the levels of serum markers enzymes aminotransferase like alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,creatinine kinase &lactase dehydrogenase with the significant improvements in the serum lipid profile level and cardioprotective action of polyherbal formulations increased in the in vivo anti-oxidant level of Glutathione and the inhibition of lipid peroxidation of cardiac membrane in the treatment of rats[58].

Anticancer activity

Crude ethanolic extract of Nagkesar flower tested against human cancer cell i.e.,human laryngeal cancer (Hep-2),cholangiocarcinoma,human hepatocarcinoma cell lines in the in vitro studies,but it found selectively against Hep-2 cell lines.Extract possess potent cytotoxic activity against Hep-2 &human hepatocarcinoma [59].Essential oil obtained from Nagkesar leaves shows activity against cancer cell lines i.e.,oral carcinoma,breast adenocarcinoma (michigan cancer foundation-7) and (metastatic lung carcinoma) neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses [60].Methanolic extract possess activity against the Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in mice and shows inhibitory action against tumor growth [61].Muthu Marunthu is a polyherbal formulation which contains about 100 mg of Nagkesar which is found to be effective against anti-tumor effect on the experimental fibro sarcoma-cells in rats.Results revealed the remarkable reduction in the level of DNA,RNA,vitamin A,vitamin C &vitamin E,zinc and selenium and elevation in copper level.About 20 days treatment with polyherbal formulation shows normal level of trace element and finds no significant changement in blood level of urea,glucose,plasma protein &cholesterol and serum enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase,glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase,alkaline as well as acid phosphate in comparison between normal rats with rat treat with polyherbal formulation [62].

Immunomodulatory and hormone balancing activities

Nagkesar seed oil contains mesuol which shows immunomodulatory activities for both humoral and cellular immune system.Nagkesar flower extract shows activity like estrogen and progesterone which is beneficial during menstrual cycle by improvement in hormone level.Mesuol which is isolated from Nagkesar shows immunomodulatory effects in the animal experimental model by using the specific as well as non-specific immune responses.In case of humoral-immune responses,mesuol shows dose dependent increasement in the antibody values in cyclophosphamide (about 50 mg/mL in nineth and sixteenth day)induced immunosuppressant which was sensitized with sheep red blood cells on seventh and fourteenth day of experiment.And in case of cellular-immune response model,shows an increasement in paw volume recorded on twenty-third day in cyclophosphamides induced immunosuppressant effect rat treat with sheep red blood cells with 0.03 mL of 2% v/v,s.c.on the twenty-first day.Then mesuol help in restoring of hematological activity or profile in cyclophosphane-amide induced myelo-suppression modeling and mesuol increase in the percent of neutrophil-adhesion test in rats and phagocytosis in carbon-clearance assay.All these above studies show immuno-modulatory effects of mesuol [63].Polyherbal formulation containing Nagkesar flower buds shows activity against,immunomodulation effect on radiation induced immunosuppression.Result revealed increasement in amount of circulating antibody in animals treated with the ACII &dose are 250 mg &1g/kg.No change will be seen in body weight of irradiated animals,no changement in hemoglobin content of the irradiated animal on comparison with normal or treated animal and no change in the count of lymphocyte-neutrophil ratio.Significant changes in the lower level of white blood cells (WBCs),increased the count of WBCs and improvement in bone-marrow cellularity with improvement in α-esterase positive-cells and weight of thymus increases in the ACII in comparison with treated animals to irradiated animals [64].ACII found to have an immunomodulatory activity in normal and in cyclophosphamide treated animals[65,66].

Leucorrhoea activity

Nagkesar (contains whole plant of Nagkesar) along with the Takra Odan used in the treatment of leucorrhoea (Swetapradar) which is common problem among the women.This study conducted by open controlled-randomized method on two different patient groups in which all patients were women and women with vaginitis or cervicitis,intrauterine contraceptive device or pelvic inflammatory disease and anemia and it also includes married women.This problem generally occurs during puberty of girls and it is also caused by much reason like excessive stress,improper diet and unhygienic conditions.According to the report,formulation stimulates astringent action in vaginal mucosa which helps in reduction of excessive vaginal discharge and pelvic congestion [67].

Miscellaneous activity

Diuretic activity of Nagkesar was shown by polyherbal formulation(Draksharishta-T and -M) contains stamen which shows activity against natriuretic,diuretic and kaliuretic in albino rats for 5 h with 2.0 mL/kg dosing.Antidiabetic activity of Nagkesar was shown by leaves extraction in methanol which significantly increases the level of insulin secretion from β-cells of pancreases as well as normalizes the blood glucose level in the diabetic-rats which induced by streptozotocin [68].Herbal formulation of Nagkesar (Bresol) contains flower which shows activity against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,which is induced by the help of cigarette smoke in rats.About 250-500 mg/kg rats were treated for 5 weeks which shows significant action with reduction in the inflammated tracheal,decreasement in TNF-α as well as protein levels of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid with normal cellular structure [69].Nagkesar contains seed kernel oil which found to be effective against water disinfectant which is natural way to remove disinfectant from water and study result revealed that Nagkesar kernel seed oil shows significant disinfectant activity with 0.04 value of first order modeling [70].Aerial parts ethanolic extract of Nagkesar contains tannins which shows wound healing action on rat models when applied as ointment on excision and incision wounds[71].Xanthones like 6-desoxy jacareubin and jacareubin isolated from Nagkesar which shows antiulcer activity shows reduction in ulcer in rats in comparison with control group shows hemorrhagic spots with perforation.Different extracts of Nagkesar seed like alcohol,petroleum ether and ethyl acetate show activity against anti-arthritic which is induced by complete Freund’s adjuvant as well as formaldehyde in the rats.Study result shows significant activity against anti-arthritic and shows normal level of red blood cells,WBCs and hemoglobin [72].Polyherbal combination contains Nagkesar which shows activity against hemorrhoid (bleeding piles) in the 22 humans during clinical trial in 16 patient effective actions and improvement in their condition [73].Herbal formulation like Roidosanal and Daflon which contains Nagkesar shows effective results against anorectal condition of grade 1 as well as grade 2 [74].Recent study shows α-amylase and anticholinesterase inhibition action which is significant against Alzheimer [75,76].

Table 2 Ayurvedic formulations of Nagkesar plant

Nagkesar uses in ayurveda

There are several ayurvedic formulations which uses Nagkesar as active ingredients in their formulation.Several ayurvedic formulation of Nagkesar are shown in Table 2 [77].

Recent trends of Nagkesar uses in cosmeceuticals

Nagkesar is used as medicinal plant but it is also known for their cosmeceutical value.Nagkesar is beneficial for both skin as well as hair.Nagkesar rich in antioxidant due to this property its shows beneficial effect on skin like healing of scars and acne,reduce blemishes and spots,reduce pigmentation,and act as anti-aging.It provides deep nourishment to the skin,reduces the skin pores,renew the skin and moisture it.It helps in the healing of wounds,scabies as well as relief from burning sensation due to their astringent properties and provides natural healthy skin.Due to its anti-inflammatory action Nagkesar reduces skin swelling,itching,redness and revives the skin from inflammation.It prevents oily skin problem and remove tan from the skin surface.It maintains natural skin tone and elasticity.It controls excessive sweating due to which it prevents bad smell of body[78].

Nagkesar promotes the growth of hair and their thickness.It provides protection from heat damage,maintains the shine of hair,remove tangle from hairs and nourishes hair from root.It regenerates the hair from hair follicles,provide strength to the hair from root,prevent breakage of hair due to the presence of antistress property &antioxidant action which controls the loss of excessive hair and promote the growth of new hair and enhance the volume of hair naturally.Nagkesar help in stimulates the hair follicle or root which also improve the growth of healthy hair natural and strong from the scalp.There are several cosmeceuticals in the market (mentiond in Table 3) which uses Nagkesar as an ingredient in their cosmetics product[79].

Conclusion

Nagkesar is one of the traditional plants which is used from the ancient time.It is utilized in the treatment of disease like fever,bleeding pile,asthma,bacterial infection,fungal infection,dysentery and renal disease.Different pharmacological action shows positive results which reflect the new advancement in the treatment of disease.Presence of some essential phytochemical in Nagkesar likes coumarins with their derivatives and xanthones with their derivates help to exhibit their pharmacological action.In this review paper,weconcluded the positive impact on the field of research but research is ongoing process which develops new method and techniques for the Nagkesar and other plants.

Table 3 Marketed cosmetics products of Nagkesar