Exploring the hidden treasures of Coptis teeta Wall.: Ethnomedicinal claims, traditional wisdom and promising avenues for research

Coptis teeta Wall., commonly known as Mishmi teeta, is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family and is rich in various bioactive compounds. It is classified as endangered on the Red List and is endemic to the Eastern Himalayas in Northeast India, representing a valuable repository of traditional wisdom and ethno medicinal practices. This article compiles available data on C. teeta for the first time, drawing from classical Ayurveda texts, botanical floras and research databases. Since 3000 B.C., this "Goldthread" has been an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as Rhizoma coptidis. Through an extensive literature search, including online published reviews, research articles, and ethnomedicinal survey reports, it has been found that various tribes in Arunachal Pradesh, India, have utilized its potent therapeutic benefits for centuries to treat ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, malaria, diabetes, eye disorders, infectious diseases, and more. The vivid pharmacological activities of C. teeta are primarily attributed to its alkaloids and other non-alkaloidal components, although limited preclinical work has been reported to date. The roots and rhizomes of C. teeta are rich in alkaloids such as berberine, jatrorrhizine, columbamine, epiberberine, coptisine and palmatine. These compounds play a significant therapeutic role in managing various ailments, including diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. They possess anti- inflammatory and analgesic properties, offer neuroprotective effects, aid in metabolic regulation and exhibit antimicrobial activity. Additionally, this review discusses the extensive trade benefits of C. teeta, the reasons for its threatened status, and various practical approaches for its conservation and cultivation. By bridging ethnomedicinal knowledge with scientific modernization through a multidisciplinary research approach, this review aims to unlock the hidden treasures of C. teeta and encourage further pharmacological research and standardization.