1. INTRODUCTION:

The evolving landscape of integrative medicine has renewed interest in plant-based therapeutics, particularly those documented in ancient systems like Ayurveda¹. One such botanical treasure is Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn., affectionately known as Parijat or Night Jasmine. More than just a symbol of mythology and poetry in Indian tradition, this plant has firmly rooted itself in the annals of ethnomedicine for its wide-ranging curative applications. Traditionally, its leaves have been used to treat chronic fever, weight loss² and arthritis³; the flowers are known for their calming, carminative, and expectorant properties, while the seeds and bark have found uses in ailments ranging from alopecia to respiratory distress.

Fig. 01 Plant of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.

Recent scientific explorations validate many of these claims, establishing N. arbor-tristis as a multi-target pharmacological candidate. Its bioactive richnessfrom iridoid glycosides to flavonoids and essential oilsoffers therapeutic potential in anti-inflammatory⁴, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, and immunomodulatory domains⁵. The need to consolidate these findings into a systematic pharmacological profile is pressing, especially with growing global interest in plant-derived medicines⁶. This review aims to dissect and synthesize current pharmacological findings on N. arbor-tristis, presenting its phytochemical richness, clinical potential, mechanistic insights, and areas needing further exploration.⁷

1.1 Botanical and Ethnomedical Background:

N. arbor-tristis is a deciduous shrub or small tree bearing fragrant white-orange flowers. Vernacularly known as Harsingar, Shefali, or Night Jasmine, its various partsleaves, flowers, seeds, barks are used in indigenous medicine⁸. Ethnobotanical reports document its application in malaria⁹, arthritis¹⁰^,¹¹^,¹², skin infections, piles, and liver ailments.

To simplify this wide array of applications and underlying mechanisms, the Fig. 01 represents the holistic therapeutic spectrum of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis:

Fig. 2. Phytopharmacological Overview of Parijat (N. arbor-tristis)

2. METHODOLOGY:

2.1 Phytochemical Composition¹³^,¹⁴^,¹⁵

The pharmacological efficacy of N. arbor-tristis stems from its diverse phytoconstituents:

2.1.1 Leaves: D-mannitol, β-sitosterol, astragalin, nicotiflorin, oleanolic acid, nyctanthic acid, methyl salicylate, iridoid glycosides (arbortristoside A, B, C), glucose and tannic acid.⁴

Fig. 03 a) Leaves of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Tree

Fig. 03 b) Structures of active phytoconstituents present in leaves of N. arbor-tristis

2.1.2 Flowers:

β-monogentiobioside,nyctanthic acid,nyctanthin, crocin derivatives, flavonoids, anthocyanins, carotenoids, essential oils.¹⁶

Fig. 04 a) Flowers of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Tree

Fig. 04 b) Structures of active phytoconstituents present in flowers of N. arbor-tristis

2.1.3 Seeds:

Arbortristoside A and B, stearic acid, nyctanthic acid, glycerides of fatty acids, 3,4-secotriterpene acid.

Fig. 05 a) Seeds of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Tree

Fig. 05 b) Structures of active phytoconstituents present in seeds of N. arbor-tristis

2.1.4 Bark and Stem:

Alkaloids, glycosides (iridoid), phenylpropanoids, naringenin derivatives.¹⁷

Fig. 06 a) Structures of active phytoconstituents present in bark and stem of N. arbor-tristis

Fig. 06 b) Bark of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. tree

Fig. 06 c) Stem of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Tree

2.2 Pharmacological Activities¹⁸^,¹⁹^,²⁰

2.2.1 Anti-inflammatory and Wound Healing:

Studies affirm that leaf extracts inhibit pro-inflammatory markers like TNF-α, IL-6, and COX-2. Gel formulations of the extract enhanced wound healing and reduced granulation tissue formation in animal models.²¹^,²²

2.2.2 Antioxidant Activity:

DPPH, hydroxyl, and superoxide scavenging assays showed strong free radical neutralization attributed to phenolics and flavonoids. NAT’s antioxidant effect is particularly strong in hydroethanolic leaf extracts, making it suitable for oxidative stress-induced disorders.²³

2.2.3 Anticancer Potential:

Flavonoids and arbortristosides in NAT have demonstrated cytotoxic effects on cancer cells, including breast, colon, and liver cell lines. Methanolic extracts were shown to induce apoptosis and limit cell proliferation, sometimes outperforming standard drugs in vitro.⁷^,²⁴

2.2.4 Immunomodulatory Effects:

Oral ethanolic extracts significantly elevated antibody titers and leukocyte counts. NAT also improved the DTH response in murine models and showed efficacy against Salmonella antigens, supporting its traditional use in immune-compromised conditions.²⁵

2.2.5 Hepatoprotective Properties:

Extracts conferred protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity by normalizing SGPT, SGOT, and bilirubin levels. Its bioactive compounds support hepatic regeneration and detoxification.⁸^,²⁶^,²⁷

2.2.6 Antidiabetic and Antimicrobial Actions: Methanolic extracts reduced glucose levels in diabetic rats and improved antioxidant enzyme levels. Additionally, NAT exhibited antimalarial, anti-trypanosomal, antifungal, and antibacterial activities.⁷

2.2.7 Toxicological Profile:

Preclinical evaluations confirm that ethanolic and aqueous extracts are safe up to 2 g/kg. However, isolated arbortristoside-A showed toxicity at 500 mg/kg, emphasizing the need for standardization and dosage control.²⁸^,²⁹

2.3 Mechanisms of action:

The plant’s bioactivity is mediated by-

· Inhibition of inflammatory pathways (TNF-α, COX-2)

· Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells

· Enhancement of antioxidant defence

· Immunomodulation through elevated leukocyte activity

2.4 Research gaps and future directions:

Despite promising in vitro and in vivo results, limitations include:

· Lack of standardized extract formulations

· Sparse clinical validation

· Inadequate long-term toxicological studies

· Need for mechanistic and pharmacokinetic elucidation

Future directions should focus on isolating bioactive molecules, formulation development, and clinical validation to bridge traditional knowledge and evidence-based practice.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION:

A wide array of pharmacological studiesboth in vitro and in vivohas confirmed the medicinal relevance of Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. Across multiple research investigations, extracts from the plant’s leaves, flowers, seeds, and bark have demonstrated significant biological activity, attributed largely to its rich phytochemical profile. Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity were consistently observed in rodent models. Ethanolic and hydroethanolic extracts were shown to reduce paw edema, inhibit pro-inflammatory markers like TNF-α and IL-6, and downregulate COX-2 expression. Gel formulations further enhanced wound contraction and reduced granulation tissue formation, suggesting strong topical potential. Antioxidant activity was evidenced by DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. Leaf and flower extracts exhibited high phenolic and flavonoid content, indicating a potent ability to mitigate oxidative stress, which is crucial in managing chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases. Anticancer effects of N. arbor-tristis were seen through significant cytotoxicity against various human cancer cell lines, including MCF-7 (breast), HepG2 (liver), and HCT-116 (colon). Mechanistically, extracts induced apoptosis, inhibited cell proliferation, and caused cell cycle arrestsuggesting promise for development as an adjunct therapy in oncology. Immunomodulatory and hepatoprotective effects were also notable. Leaf extracts increased antibody titers and leukocyte count, while normalizing SGOT, SGPT, and bilirubin levels in hepatotoxic models. These effects point toward the plant’s adaptogenic and organ-protective roles.

Antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and antiparasitic properties were observed through reduced blood glucose levels and effective inhibition of pathogens such as Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma evansi, and common bacteria and fungi. These findings support the plant’s traditional use in treating infections and metabolic disorders. While these outcomes are promising, most studies remain confined to preclinical evaluations. Comparability is often limited due to inconsistent extraction methods, lack of standardized dosages, and absence of clinical trials. Additionally, while many bioactivities are linked to individual phytochemicals like arbortristoside-A, naringenin, and β-sitosterol, their isolated efficacy and interactions need further elucidation. All things considered; the cumulative findings support N. arbor-tristis's broad-spectrum pharmacological potential. However, robust pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic, and clinical studies are needed to translate these findings into validated therapeutic interventions.

4. CONCLUSION:

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn. emerges as a therapeutically versatile and pharmacologically rich medicinal plant with deep roots in traditional medicine and growing relevance in modern pharmacological research. The diverse bioactive compounds found in its leaves, flowers, seeds, and bark contribute to a broad spectrum of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anticancer, immunomodulatory, antidiabetic, and antimicrobial effects. Numerous traditional claims have been supported by broad in vitro and in vivo research, which has also clarified the biological mechanisms of action underlying its therapeutic efficacy, including immunological response regulation, antioxidant defence enhancement, inflammatory cytokine modulation, and cancer cell apoptosis induction. Furthermore, the plant’s relatively low toxicity and multifaceted bioactivity make it a promising candidate for the development of novel phytopharmaceuticals. However, the transition of N. arbor-tristis from traditional remedy to mainstream therapeutic agent necessitates further research. Critical gaps remain in clinical validation, standardization of extracts, pharmacokinetic studies, and long-term toxicological assessments. Addressing these challenges through interdisciplinary approaches will be essential to unlock its full therapeutic potential. In conclusion, N. arbor-tristis stands as a compelling example of a medicinal plant that bridges ancient wisdom and modern science. With rigorous research and evidence-based development, it holds promise for integration into contemporary healthcare as a safe, effective, and natural therapeutic resource.

5. ABBREVATIONS:

TNF-α: Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

IL-6: Interleukin 6

COX-2: Cyclooxygenase-2

NAT: Nyctanthes arbor-tristis

DTH: Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity

SGPT: Serum Glutamic Oxaloacetic Transaminase

SGOT: Serum Glutamic Pyruvate Transaminase

DPPH: 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl

ABTS: (2, 2′-azino-bis- (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic) acid)

MCF-7: Michigan Cancer Foundation-7

6. CONFLICT OF INTEREST:

None declared.

7. AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS:

Bio-processing and Herbal Division, Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization Wardha – 442001, Maharashtra, (INDIA): Soumya Gulab Katre and Jaykishor A. Chhangani.

8. CONTRIBUTIONS:

Katre SG is the only contributor behind the basic concept, literature survey, review, creation of manuscript content, examination, correction and editing of the manuscript; literature survey, writing the manuscript, referencing and citation. Chhangani JA contributed in review, corrections and editing of the manuscript. The author read and approved the final manuscript.

9. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

The authors are thankful to the researchers whose studies formed the basis of this review, also authors are grateful to Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization, Wardha and Ministry of MSME, Government of India for the constant support.

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Received on 14.07.2025 Revised on 05.11.2025

Accepted on 09.01.2026 Published on 02.07.2026

Available online from July 15, 2026

Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2026; 16(3):265-270.

DOI: 10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00039

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