Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr.: A Comprehensive Review of Its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity

TL;DR

This paper reviews the medicinal uses, chemical composition, and health benefits of Lannea coromandelica, a tropical tree used in traditional medicine.

Contribution

The study provides a comprehensive review of L. coromandelica's ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects, identifying its therapeutic potential.

Findings

Lannea coromandelica contains bioactive compounds like flavonoids, phenolic acids, and triterpenes.

Extracts from the plant show antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects.

The plant is safe at high doses, with no observed toxicity in animal studies.

Abstract

Lannea coromandelica (Houtt.) Merr., a deciduous tropical tree of the Anacardiaceae family, is traditionally used in Asian ethnomedicine to treat diabetes, skin diseases, ulcers, inflammation, and microbial infections. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on its ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology to assess its therapeutic potential.

A systematic literature search was conducted from January to April 2025 using Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. Approximately 115 papers were initially screened, with 86 selected for comprehensive review. The data covered publications from 2011 to 2025, focusing on keywords related to L. coromandelica and associated terms.

Phytochemical studies revealed diverse bioactive constituents, including flavonoids (quercetin, morin), phenolic acids (gallic acid, protocatechuic acid), triterpenes (oleanolic acid, myricadiol), and sterols (β‐sitosterol). Pharmacological investigations demonstrated antidiabetic, antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐ulcer, antihistaminic, and analgesic effects. Extracts significantly reduced hyperglycemia, improved lipid profiles, scavenged free radicals, and inhibited tumor growth in experimental models. Toxicology assessments indicated a high safety margin with no observed toxicity or mortality at doses above 3000 mg/kg in animals.

L. coromandelica exhibits promising pharmacological activities and safety, highlighting its potential as a source for novel phytotherapeutics. Nonetheless, further studies on chronic toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and mechanisms of action are essential to support clinical development.

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