PHYTOCHEMICAL TREASURES AND PHARMACOLOGICAL INSIGHTS: A REVIEW OF ERYTHRINA INDICA

Abstract

Erythrina indica (syn. Erythrina variegata) is a medicinal plant widely used in Ayurveda and other traditional systems, attracting growing scientific interest for its therapeutic potential. This review synthesizes existing research on its phytochemical composition and pharmacological activities, highlighting its promise as a source of natural therapeutics. Phytochemical investigations reveal that Erythrina indica is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, and pterocarpans, which are responsible for its broad spectrum of bioactivity. Scientific studies validate its potent antioxidant capacity and demonstrate significant anti-inflammatory effects. Notably, extracts and isolated compounds exhibit dose-dependent anticancer activity against breast, lung, and liver cancer cell lines by inducing apoptosis and showing cytotoxicity with defined IC₅₀ values. Antimicrobial efficacy has been observed against pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with specific compounds demonstrating the ability to disrupt biofilm formation. Erythrina indica also possesses marked antidiabetic potential, significantly reducing blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels in diabetic models while preserving pancreatic β-cell integrity. Collectively, these findings strongly corroborate the plant’s traditional uses and underscore its promise for the development of novel treatments for oxidative stress, inflammation, cancer, microbial infections, and diabetes. Future research should prioritize clinical trials, mechanistic studies, and the development of standardized formulations.