Canarium strictum Roxb.: An Endangered, Socioeconomically, and Ethnobotanically Important Species with Potential Medicinal Value - A Comprehensive Review

Canarium strictum Roxb. is a socio-economically and ethnobotanically prominent medicinal species with its resin Sambrani or Dammar possessing significant medicinal and commercial utility. It has been traditionally employed for treating rheumatism, fever, cough, asthma, epilepsy, skin diseases, syphilis, and hernia. However, its wood is used in construction and furniture making due to its high ability to hold glue; the edible seed kernel is used in confectionery industries and its oil is also used in the production of confectionery products. Despite such wide uses, very little information on habitat degradation and exploitation together within complete medicinal properties is available for this species demanding large-scale research and conservation action to save it from local extinction. The article describes the botanical description, ecological information, and ethnopharmacological importance of C. strictum and its bioactive components (different triterpenes, sterols, phenolic compounds), along with pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, larvicidal, and antipyretic activities. This paper affirms the significance of Canarium strictum in folk medicines and its potential therapeutic use, emphasizing the necessity to protect the species and future research based on the results of this investigation.