A Review on Active Therapeutic Moieties and Pharmacological Activity Present in Polyalthia Longifolia Leaves

Polyalthia longifolia (family: Annonaceae), commonly known as the Indian mast tree or "Ashoka," is a medicinally important evergreen plant widely distributed across tropical regions of India. The leaves of P. longifolia are a rich source of diverse bioactive compounds including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, tannins, and glycosides, which contribute to its wide spectrum of pharmacological properties. Numerous studies have reported that these active therapeutic moieties exhibit significant antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, analgesic, hypotensive, and wound- healing activities. The presence of compounds such as clerodane diterpenoids and aporphine alkaloids has been linked to potent cytotoxic and antimicrobial actions. This review aims to compile and critically analyse the phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Polyalthia longifolia leaves to highlight their therapeutic potential and possible applications in the development of novel herbal formulations. The findings suggest that P. longifolia leaves possess promising medicinal value and warrant further investigation for isolation, characterization, and clinical evaluation of their active constituents.