BEYOND TRADITIONAL MEDICINE: AN ADVANCED REVIEW OF THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIONS OF NYCTANTHES ARBOR TRISTIS LINN

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. (family Oleaceae), commonly known as Night Jasmine, Parijat or Harsingar, is a medicinal plant widely distributed in South and Southeast Asia and traditionally used in Ayurveda, Unani and folk medicine for fever, arthritis, intestinal worms and inflammatory conditions. This review critically examines the pharmacological actions of the plant beyond its traditional uses, based on in vitro and in vivo studies published predominantly after 2015. Thirty pharmacological activities are discussed, including anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, anticancer and antioxidant effects. Mechanistic studies indicate modulation of NF-κB, COX-2, 5-LOX, AMPK, PPARγ and apoptotic signalling pathways. Toxicity studies show a wide safety margin in rodents, but clinical evidence is lacking, and randomized controlled trials are required for clinical translation.