THERAPEUTIC INSIGHTS INTO DELONIX ELATA (L.) GAMBLE: PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGY, AND ANALYTICAL METHODS"-A REVIEW

Delonix elata (L.) Gamble, commonly known as White Gulmohur, is a medicinal tree of the Fabaceae family valued in traditional medicine for treating rheumatism, joint pain, and inflammatory disorders. Ethnobotanical reports emphasize its use in rural and Siddha practices, particularly in southern India. Phytochemical studies have revealed diverse constituents including flavonoids (quercetin, luteolin, rutin), triterpenoids (lupeol, betulinic acid), phenolic acids (caffeic and gallic acid), steroids, tannins, alkaloids, saponins, and glycosides. These bioactive compounds contribute to a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and wound-healing effects, which are comprehensively discussed in this review. Extraction techniques ranging from maceration and Soxhlet methods to advanced ultrasound-assisted and supercritical fluid extraction have been employed to obtain its phytoconstituents. Analytical profiling through GC-MS, HPLC, and FTIR confirmed therapeutic compounds like caffeic acid and apigenin. Pharmacological studies indicate that D. elata mediates its effects by modulating inflammatory pathways, including inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes, nitric oxide, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). These findings validate its ethnomedicinal claims and highlight its potential as a natural anti-inflammatory agent. Nevertheless, despite strong preclinical evidence, standardized formulations and clinical studies remain limited. Future research should focus on developing safe, effective, and standardized preparations of D. elata for integration into modern medicine.