REVIEW ARTICLE ON FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF SUSTAINED RELEASE TOPICAL DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM TABERNAEMONTANA DIVARICATA FOR TREATMENT OF MIGRAINE

Tabernaemontana divaricata (Linn.) is an evergreen ornamental shrub widely valued for its extensive ethnomedicinal applications across the world. Commonly known as Crepe Jasmine, it belongs to the Apocynaceae family. This species is distributed throughout Asia, Australia, China, India, Japan, and Myanmar. The plant typically grows 1.5–2.5 m tall, possesses a silvery-grey, wrinkled bark, and releases milky latex when injured. It bears white, fragrant flowers and has glossy, deep-green leaves. Previous research has shown that the plant contains a wide array of phytochemical constituents, including alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolic acids, and enzymes. Its flowers are particularly rich in alkaloids such as epivoacangine, apparicine, Isovoacristine, Tabernaemontanine, voaphylline, and Vobasine. Tabernaemontana divaricata exhibits a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic, antioxidant, antidiabetic, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, and anti-infertility effects. Traditionally, it has been used to manage a wide range of ailments such as abdominal tumours, epilepsy, eye infections, fever, headaches, inflammation, leprosy, asthma, diarrhea, paralysis, rheumatic pain, ulcers, and vomiting. This review aims to summarize the morphology, ethnomedicinal importance, pharmacological potential, and phytochemical profile of this medicinally significant plant. It also emphasizes the necessity for further research and development on Tabernaemontana divaricata.