A comprehensive review of Tamarindus indica l.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and multidimensional therapeutic potential

Rakesh Subhash Dhole

Department of Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance, KVPS Maharani Ahilyabai Holkar College of Pharmacy, Shirpur, Maharashtra, India

Refer this article

Rakesh Subhash Dhole, 2025. A comprehensive review of Tamarindus indica l.: ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and multidimensional therapeutic potential. Journal of medical pharmaceutical and allied sciences, V 14 - I 6, Pages - 24 – 28. Doi: https://doi.org/10.55522/jmpas.V14I6.6998.

ABSTRACT

Tamarindus indica L., commonly referred to as tamarind, is a perennial, tropical tree belonging to the Fabaceae family. Revered for centuries across diverse cultures, it serves not only as a culinary ingredient but also as a cornerstone of traditional medicinal systems. This extensive review synthesizes current knowledge from ethnopharmacological surveys, phytochemical analyses, and pharmacological investigations to present a holistic overview of tamarind’s therapeutic profile. Traditionally, various plant parts—including fruit pulp, leaves, bark, seeds, and roots—have been employed to treat a wide array of ailments such as gastrointestinal disorders, fever, inflammatory conditions, diabetes, and skin wounds. Phytochemical profiling has identified a rich matrix of bioactive constituents, including polyphenols (epicatechin, procyanidin), flavonoids (orientin, vitexin), organic acids (tartaric, citric), triterpenoids (lupeol), polysaccharides (xyloglucan), and essential oils. Contemporary pharmacological studies substantiate these traditional uses, demonstrating significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, wound-healing, and hypolipidemic activities. This article aims to consolidate the scattered data into a coherent narrative, highlighting the scientific validation of tamarind’s ethnomedicinal claims and identifying promising avenues for future research, particularly in drug discovery and the development of standardised nutraceutical formulations.

Keywords:

Azadirachta indica, Phytochemistry, Refractive index, Alkaloids, Pharmacognosy, Polypharmacology.

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