Butea monosperma: An Overview of its Bioactive Constituents and Medicinal Applications
Gahna Kumari1, Sangita Kumari2*, Ashish Sarkar3
1Student, School of Pharmacy, Kawali, YBN University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
2Associate Professor, School of Pharmacy, Kawali, YBN University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
3Dean, School of Pharmacy, YBN University, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
*Corresponding Author E-mail: sangitalucy94@gmail.com
ABSTRACT:
Butea monosperma commonly known as Flame of the Forest or Palash, is a traditional medicinal plant widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian subcontinent. This review provides a comprehensive overview of its phytochemical constituents and diverse therapeutic applications. The plant is rich in bioactive compounds including flavonoids (such as butein, isobutrin, and butin), terpenoids, steroids, tannins, and glycosides, which are mainly present in its flowers, bark, leaves, seeds, and roots. These constituents are attributed to its broad pharmacological spectrum, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, anti-obesity, and anticancer activities. Traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda and Unani have long employed Butea monosperma in the treatment of ulcers, wounds, piles, skin disorders, and parasitic infections. Recent pharmacological and clinical studies support many of these ethnomedicinal claims, highlighting its potential for development into modern herbal therapeutics. However, further clinical validation and toxicity profiling are essential to fully harness its medicinal value. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge to support future research and therapeutic utilization of this versatile plant.
KEYWORDS: Butea monosperma, Phytochemicals, Traditional medicine, Pharmacological activity, Flavonoids, Herbal therapeutics.
INTRODUCTION:
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., commonly known as "Flame of the Forest," "Palash," or "Dhak," is a medium-sized deciduous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae1. It is native to the Indian subcontinent and is widely distributed throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia. Known for its striking orange-red flowers and its prominence in traditional Indian medicine, B. monosperma holds significant ethnobotanical and pharmacological value2.
The different parts of the plant—flowers, seeds, bark, leaves, roots, and gum are extensively used in Ayurvedic, Unani, and folk medicine for the treatment of a wide variety of ailments3-4. Traditionally, the plant has been used to manage conditions such as diarrhea, dysentery, inflammation, skin diseases, diabetes, liver disorders, and parasitic infections. The widespread use of B. monosperma in indigenous medical systems has prompted scientific interest in exploring its pharmacological potential and chemical composition5.
Phytochemical investigations have revealed that B. monosperma is a rich source of flavonoids (including butein, butin, isobutrin), chalcones, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins, and steroids6-7. These bioactive constituents have been shown to possess diverse pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anti-obesity activities8-9. The presence of such multifaceted compounds underscores the plant’s therapeutic potential and highlights its relevance in the development of plant-based drugs10-11.
In recent years, increased interest in herbal and natural therapies has driven efforts to scientifically validate traditional claims and isolate bioactive compounds from B. monosperma. Although several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated promising results, comprehensive clinical studies and toxicological assessments are still needed to ensure safety and efficacy for wider medicinal use.
This review aims to provide an in-depth overview of the botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of Butea monosperma, bridging traditional knowledge with modern scientific understanding, and identifying potential areas for future research and therapeutic development.
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Figure 1: Morphological features of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. (Family: Fabaceae), commonly known as Palash. The image illustrates its characteristic bright orange-red inflorescence, trifoliate leaves, and rough bark.
MORPHOLOGY:
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., commonly known as Palash, is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow up to 12–15 meters in height. It is well-known for its striking, flame-like reddish-orange flowers that bloom profusely in spring, often when the tree is leafless, giving it a distinctive appearance12-13.
Stem and Bark:
The stem is upright and cylindrical, with a rough and fibrous bark that is grey or brownish in color. The bark often contains vertical fissures and exudes a reddish gum known as Butea gum or Bengal kino, which is traditionally used for medicinal purposes.
Leaves:
The leaves are compound, trifoliate, and alternately arranged. Each leaf consists of three leaflets, with the terminal leaflet being larger than the lateral ones. Leaflets are ovate to elliptic, smooth above and slightly hairy beneath, and measure around 10–20cm in length. The petiole is long and sturdy, supporting the compound leaf.
Flowers:
One of the most striking features of Butea monosperma is its bright orange to scarlet flowers, which are papilionaceous (pea-like) in shape. Flowers are borne in dense clusters on leafless branches. Each flower has a prominent keel, wings, and a standard petal, typical of the Fabaceae family. The tree blooms mainly between January and March.
Fruits:
The fruit is a flat, linear, and indehiscent pod, typically around 10–15cm long, with a single seed (hence the name monosperma). The pod is pale brown, leathery, and winged towards the tip, helping in seed dispersal.
Seeds:
Seeds are kidney-shaped, brown, and smooth. They are generally non-endospermic and contain a large embryo.
Roots:
The root system is deep and well-developed, which allows the tree to survive in dry, drought-prone areas. In addition to anchorage, the roots may harbor rhizobium nodules that assist in nitrogen fixation, a characteristic of leguminous plants.
PRINCIPAL CONSTITUENTS:
Butea monosperma is known for its rich phytochemical profile, with various plant parts—especially the flowers, seeds, bark, and leaves—containing a wide range of bioactive constituents. These compounds are responsible for the plant’s diverse pharmacological activities.
Flavonoids are among the most abundant and biologically active compounds in Butea monosperma, particularly found in the flowers and bark. Some of flavonoids are butein, isobutrin, butrin, coreopsin, isocoreopsin.
These compounds exhibit antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, and anticancer activities14-15.
Chalcones are precursors of flavonoids and have shown promising therapeutic potential. The flowers of B. monosperma are particularly rich in chalcones, such as: Butein (also a flavonoid-chalcone derivative), Monoacetylbutein and alasitrin. Chalcones are known for their antimicrobial, anti-obesity, and cytotoxic effects16.
Tannins are present mainly in the bark and are known for their astringent, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. These include Catechins as well as Gallic acid derivatives17.
The bark and seeds contain phytosterols and triterpenoids with anti-inflammatory and adaptogenic properties. Examples are β-sitosterol, Lupeol and Stigmasterol18
Various parts of the plant contain glycosides which contribute to its cardioprotective and antioxidant properties19.
Although present in smaller quantities, alkaloids are found in the seeds and leaves and are believed to contribute to the plant’s anthelmintic and neuroprotective actions20
Saponins are mainly present in the seeds and have shown antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and cholesterol-lowering effects21.
The reddish exudate from the bark, known as Bengal kino or Butea gum, is rich in gallic acid, kinotannic acid, and kinoin, and is traditionally used as an astringent and wound healer22.
These phytoconstituents collectively contribute to the traditional and modern medicinal applications of Butea monosperma. Ongoing phytochemical and pharmacological studies continue to uncover more about the plant’s therapeutic potential and mechanisms of action
PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT PART:
Butea monosperma has been extensively studied for its diverse pharmacological activities, many of which support its traditional uses in various indigenous systems of medicine. The presence of numerous bioactive constituents—particularly flavonoids, chalcones, tannins, glycosides, and sterols—contribute to its broad therapeutic profile.
Extracts of Butea monosperma—especially from the flowers and bark—have demonstrated strong free radical scavenging properties. This is largely attributed to the presence of flavonoids such as butein, butrin, and isobutrin. These compounds help reduce oxidative stress, which is associated with the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disorders23.
Both in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that flower and leaf extracts exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects. These effects are believed to be mediated through the inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators such as prostaglandins and cytokines24-26.
Butea monosperma has shown promising antidiabetic activity in animal models of diabetes. The seed and bark extracts have been reported to lower blood glucose levels, improve insulin sensitivity, and protect pancreatic β-cells. The flavonoids and saponins may play a role in inhibiting α-glucosidase activity and enhancing glucose uptake27-28
The methanolic extract of the bark and flowers has shown liver-protecting effects in models of drug-induced hepatotoxicity. This activity is likely due to the antioxidant and membrane-stabilizing effects of the phytoconstituents, especially flavonoids and tannins 29-33.
The plant exhibits a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as certain fungal strains. The extracts—particularly from the flowers and bark—are rich in tannins and flavonoids that disrupt microbial cell walls and interfere with replication34.
Topical application of Butea monosperma flower paste or extract has been shown to promote faster wound contraction, enhanced collagen formation, and epithelial regeneration. These effects are attributed to the plant’s antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties35-36.
Several studies suggest that butein and other chalcones from Butea monosperma may induce apoptosis and inhibit the proliferation of certain cancer cell lines, such as breast, lung, and colon cancers. These compounds interfere with cancer cell signaling pathways and oxidative damage37.
In animal studies, flower and seed extracts have demonstrated the ability to reduce body weight, fat accumulation, and serum lipid levels. These effects are likely due to the inhibition of lipogenesis, enhancement of lipid metabolism, and antioxidant action38-39.
Traditionally used for treating parasitic infections, the seeds of Butea monosperma have shown anthelmintic activity against intestinal worms. This is believed to be due to alkaloids and other secondary metabolites that impair worm motility and survival40-41.
10. Immunomodulatory Activity:
Preliminary studies indicate that the plant may have immunostimulatory effects, enhancing both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. These findings support its traditional use in boosting general immunity.
The wide spectrum of pharmacological effects associated with Butea monosperma underscores its potential as a valuable source for drug development. However, more rigorous clinical trials and safety evaluations are needed to confirm its efficacy in humans and establish standardized therapeutic doses42.
11. Antipyretic Activity:
The methanolic extract of Butea monosperma stem bark (MEBM) showed significant (P<0.01) hepatoprotective and antipyretic activities in rats. MEBM (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.) reduced CCl₄-induced elevations in SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and bilirubin, and increased total protein levels. It also significantly lowered Brewer’s yeast-induced fever over 6 hours. Phytochemical analysis revealed flavonoids, glycosides, and sterols, with flavonoids likely responsible for the observed effects43
CONCLUSION:
Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub., popularly known as "Flame of the Forest," is a medicinally significant plant that has been widely used in traditional healing systems for centuries. Modern scientific research has validated many of its ethnopharmacological claims, revealing a wide array of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, chalcones, tannins, and triterpenoids that contribute to its diverse therapeutic properties. From antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and anticancer effects, B. monosperma shows remarkable pharmacological potential.
Despite the promising findings from in vitro and animal studies, there remains a pressing need for well-designed clinical trials to establish its efficacy, safety, and dosage in human populations. Furthermore, standardization of plant extracts, identification of lead compounds, and understanding of their mechanisms of action will be essential for the development of plant-based therapeutic agents.
In conclusion, Butea monosperma represents a valuable natural resource with multifaceted medicinal applications. With continued research and validation, this traditional remedy could contribute significantly to the development of safe, effective, and affordable phytopharmaceuticals in the future.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT:
The authors gratefully acknowledge the support and encouragement provided by School Of Pharmacy, YBN University, which played a vital role in facilitating this review work. We are thankful to the library and online resource facilities that enabled comprehensive access to scientific literature relevant to Butea monosperma.
DATA AVAILABILITY DECLARATION:
All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the paper.
AUTHOR CONTRIBUTION:
Both The authors equally contributed to the manuscript. G.K was responsible for conceptualization, data curation, validation of resources, and manuscript writing. S.K. provided guidance, reviewed, and edited it. Both authors read and approved the finalized the manuscript.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST:
The author declares no conflict of interest.
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Received on 15.07.2025 Revised on 29.08.2025 Accepted on 04.10.2025 Published on 02.01.2026 Available online from January 05, 2026 Asian J. Res. Pharm. Sci. 2026; 16(1):93-97. DOI: 10.52711/2231-5659.2026.00015 ©Asian Pharma Press All Right Reserved
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