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Abstract

Ethnomedicinal values of Sapindus spp. is also documented in the ancient medical literature. Peoples are using its leaf, fruits and seeds for their primary health care from the very beginning. Powdered form of seeds has been used for the cure of dental caries, arthritis, constipation, nausea and common cold. Ayurvedic literature also documented the use of seeds for removal of tan and freckles from the skin. Furthermore, leaves and roots are also used for the treatment of gout and rheumatism. Sapindus spp. possess therapeutic potential due to the presence of various pharmaceutical compounds in different parts of plants. Genus Sapindus has also shown a number of pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid peroxidation, larvicidal activity. It is clear from the scientific reports that saponins are the main phytocompound of this plant and that is responsible for these biological activities. In vitro cultures of Sapindus spp. also showed the presence of various phytochemicals and many biological activities.

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  • Augustin, J. M., Kuzina, V., Anderson, S. B., & Bak, S. (2011). Molecular activities, biosynthesis an evolution of triterpenoid saponins. Phytochemistry, 72, 435–457.

  • Goyal, S., Kumar, D., Menaria, G., & Singla, S. (2014). Medicinal plants of the genus sapindus (sapindaceae) – A review of their botany, phytochemistry, biological activity and traditional uses. Journal of Drug Delivery & Therapeutics, 4, 7–20.

  • Upadhyay, A., & Singh, D. K. (2012). Pharmacological effects of Sapindus mukorossi. Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo, 54, 273–280.

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Singh, R., Sharma, B. (2019). Pharmacological Activities and Medicinal Implications of Sapindus spp.. In: Biotechnological Advances, Phytochemical Analysis and Ethnomedical Implications of Sapindus species. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-32-9189-8_6

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