A REVIEW ON PHYTOCHEMISTRY AND PHARMACOLOGY OF HOLIGARNA ARNOTTIANA

Harsha J.*, Karunakar Hegde

ABSTRACT

Holigarna arnottiana Hook. F., a medicinal tree belonging to the family Anacardiaceae and endemic to the Western
Ghats of India, has attracted scientific interest due to its rich phytochemical composition and pharmacological
relevance. Traditionally, the plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of inflammation, skin
ailments, arthritis, and infectious diseases. Photochemical investigations have revealed the presence of diverse
secondary metabolites, including flavonoids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, diarylheptanoids, triterpenes, and
glycosides. Advanced analytical techniques such as GC-MS and LC-MS have further enabled the identification of
bioactive constituents responsible for its therapeutic potential. Pharmacological studies demonstrate that various
extracts of H. Arnottiana exhibit significant antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, and anticancer
activities. Recent research also highlights its role in green synthesis of metal nanoparticles with enhanced
biological efficacy. Despite promising experimental evidence, systematic studies on photochemistry-pharmacology
correlations and clinical validation remain limited. This review compiles and critically evaluates existing literature
on the photochemistry and pharmacological properties of H. Arnottiana, aiming to identify research gaps and future
prospects for drug discovery and therapeutic development.

Keywords: Holigarna arnottiana, photochemistry, pharmacology, traditional medicine, bioactive compounds.