Phytochemical and pharmacological insights into Salacia chinensis L. (Saptarangi): an underexplored important medicinal plant

Salacia chinensis L. (Celastraceae) is a woody climbing shrub and a medicinally important plant. Different plant parts include root, stem, root bark and extracts, which are extensively utilised to cure various diseases and disorders in traditional systems of medicine. Numerous bioactive metabolites viz. terpenes, polyphenols, sulphated thiosugars, flavonoids, lignans, glycosides and phenolics have been reported from S. chinensis. Pharmacologically significant compounds, mangiferin, salacinol, kotalanol, salaprinol, and ponkoranol are present in the plant. S. chinensis is majorly used for managing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and other obesity-related diseases. Mangiferin, a crucial drug candidate isolated from the plant, has demonstrated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (102.2 ± 7 mg/dl) compared to diabetic controls (288.2 ± 21 mg/dl) and the standard drug glibenclamide (99.2 ± 5.9 mg/dl). Additionally, anticancer potential of triterpenoids extracted from S. chinensis, against several cancer cell lines has been reported. For instance, the IC₅₀ values for triterpenoid were found to be effective against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7), with an IC₅₀ value of 25 µg/ml, compared to doxorubicin, a standard chemotherapeutic agent, which has an IC₅₀ value of 40 µg/ml. Similarly, other extracts have shown efficacy against lung cancer cell lines (A549) with an IC₅₀ value of 30 µg/ml, while the standard drug cisplatin has an IC₅₀ value of 50 µg/ml. Along with this, the plant has been reported for several important pharmacological properties including antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, antifibrotic, hypotensive, nephroprotective, reproductive, antihyperlipidemic, immuno-modulatory, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity and antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities have also been identified and reported. With the aim of compiling reports in literature about various phytoconstituents of S. chinensis and their reported pharmacological activities, the review would contribute to collate scientific information about S. chinensis together and identify potential areas of research using the plant with bright future prospects across various domains.