Abstract
Couroupita guianesis Aubl. (CG) family Lecythidaceae is found extensively all over the Indian subcontinent and Northeastern South Africa. The plant has regional synonyms such as cannon ball tree, shivlingam and kailashpati in English, Kannada and Hindi respectively. All the parts of the plant contain phytoconstituents which are used in folklore medicines. Various part of the tree have been reported to contain oils, steroids, glycosides, couroupitine, indirubin, isatin and phenolic substances. In Ayurveda, it is called as ayahuma and is used extensively as an ingredient in the many preparations which cure gastritis, scabies, bleeding, piles, dysentery, scorpion poison. Leaves are a rich source of α – amyrin, β- amyrin and β- Sitosterol. In the traditional system of medicine (TM) like Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani, medicinal uses have been described as it is works in disease of every system. Steroids, flavonoids, malic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid and pelargonodin glycosides are mainly believed to be responsible for its wide therapeutic actions. It is native to the tropical forests of Northeastern South Africa, especially the Amazon Basin. It is used as antinociceptive, antimalarial, antidiarrheal, anticancer, antidiabetic, antiseptic and to treat toothache.
