Therapeutic potential of Simarouba glauca in treatment of Oral diseases

Abstract

Simarouba glauca is an evergreen, flowering tree belonging to family Simaroubaceae. It is commonly called as LaxmiTaru or Paradise Tree. Since ancient times it is widely used as a traditional medicinal plant and different parts of the plant are used for treatment of diseases like malaria, dysentery and cancer. Studies on Simarouba glauca, revealed the presence of several essential phytoconstituents of major pharmacological significance. These phytoconstituents are known to impart a wide range of medicinal properties like anti-cancerous, anti-inflammatory, anti- oxidative, anti-microbial and hemostatic properties to its plant extract.A group of triterpenes called quassinoids is by far the most active phytoconstituent present in Simarouba glauca. In recent years, there is an increase in its popularity as several studies showed its success in treatment of cancers including oral cancer. Also, there is a growing demand for natural products over synthetic drugs as it exhibits less side effects and develop less resistance during drug therapy. However, further in-vivo studies and clinical trials are needed to authenticate the efficiency and safety of Simarouba glauca plant extracts in humans. The purpose of this review is to summarize the therapeutic and medicinal properties of Simarouba glauca and to explore its potential applications in dentistry.