Mitragyna parvifolia (Roxb.) Korth.: Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, and Therapeutic Potential

The Rubiaceae family tree Mitragyna parvifolia, (Roxb.) Korth., commonly referred to as Kadamba, Kaim, has a long history of usage in Ayurvedic, Unani, & folk medicine. Historically, various plant parts have been utilized to treat gynaecological diseases, ulcer-related fever, inflammation, rheumatism, and jaundice. Numerous bioactive substances, including as flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, sterols, and indolic & oxindolic alkaloid (mitraphylline, isomitraphylline, and rhynchophylline), have been identified by phytochemical investigations and contribute to its medicinal properties. Its ethnomedicinal claims are supported by pharmacological tests that confirm a wide range of actions, including antiulcer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anticonvulsant, antiproliferative, & anticancer properties. With methanolic extracts exhibiting LD₅₀ values exceeding 5000 mg/kg or ethanolic extracts tolerating up to 2000 mg/kg in rats with no significant side effects, toxicological assessments demonstrate a wide margin of safety. There is currently insufficient data on long-term safety, chronic toxicity, & clinical efficacy in people. The current body of knowledge regarding M. parvifolia ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacological activity, and safety profile is compiled and critically examined in this review. In addition to highlighting the need for additional mechanistic, toxicological, or clinical research to create standardized phytomedicines, the findings also point to its therapeutic promise, notably in antiulcer therapy.