Abstract

A REVIEW ON INDIAN CORK TREE - MILLINGTONIA HORTENSIS LINN.F

M. Surendra Kumar*, N. Astalakshmi, Jeena chandran. N, Jesmi Jaison, P, Sooraj. P, Raihanath. T, Kavimani. S and G. Babu.

ABSTRACT

Millingtonia hortensis Linn.F (Bignoniaceae) is a traditional medicinal plant widely used in south -East Asia. It is commonly known as Cork tree, Akash neem and Neem chameli. The tree is cultivated in various parts of India for its ornamental purposes. It can grow upto 25m, with woody stem and thick cork. Flowers have very rich and pleasant scent, used in the treatment of asthma, sinusitis, and cholagogue and in rituals. Leaves and roots of cork tree are used as antiasthmatic and antimicrobial. The stem bark is used traditionally as lung tonic, antiasthmatic and antimicrobial. The tree has antifungal, antioxidant, antibacterial, larvicidal, antimutagenic, antiproliferative, anthelmintic and hepatoprotective properties. This paper highlights about the tree on its, pharmacognosy & phytochemistry and medicinal aspects.

Keywords: Millingtonia hortensis, Cork tree, Bignoniaceae, Pharmacognosy, phytochemistry and pharmacological activities.