An Overview of the Phytochemical and Therapeutic Potential of Wrightia tinctoria

Introduction: Several natural phytomedicines derived from Chinese herbs demonstrate a wide range of pharmacological effects. Wrightia tinctoria (WT) is a small deciduous tree known as sweet indrajao. It belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Many diseases have been treated with this plant's phytoconstituents, such as skin disorders, dysenteric, diarrhea, and hair treatments. In addition, the therapeutic elements of WT demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory and anti-dandruff properties. However, there is a difference between this plant's preclinical and clinical significance. The purpose of this study is to collect and evaluate the various chemical, medicinal, and pharmacological characteristics of WT in relation to multiple disorders using preclinical evidence. This will serve as a valuable foundation for researchers to explore its effectiveness in clinical trials further. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted across several databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Academic Journals Embase, Google Scholar, and Science Direct. The search utilized specific keywords such as "Wrightia tinctoria" as well as terms like "Traditional Chinese Medicine," "Pharmacological activities," "Anti-cancer," "Anti-viral," "Anti-microbial," "Anti-psoriatic," "Anti-Inflammatory," "Quercetin" and their combinations mainly from 1993 to 2024. Results: The pharmacological and therapeutic potential of WT is gathered and summarized based on existing research reports. WT substances consist of various phytoconstituents, including flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, volatile oils, esters, and others. These components are primarily responsible for the various pharmacological effects of WT, such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, antifungal, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-ulcer effects. Conclusion: This review focuses on current research findings regarding WT's therapeutic potential and pharmacological activities. Additionally, it addresses the major safety and toxicity issues related to WT.