The Ancient Indian Tree with Modern Medicinal Promise
Nestled within the dry deciduous forests of the Indian subcontinent grows a remarkable tree that has been a cornerstone of traditional medicine for centuries. Buchanania lanzan, commonly known as chironji or charoli, stands as a testament to nature's pharmacy, offering both nutritional sustenance and therapeutic potential.
While its almond-flavored seeds have long graced traditional Indian sweets and savory dishes, this unassuming tree has captured scientific attention for its impressive array of medicinal properties. Modern research is now validating what Ayurvedic and Unani practitioners have known for generations—that this forest treasure possesses powerful bioactive compounds with potential applications from wound healing to neuroprotection.
This article explores the fascinating intersection of traditional knowledge and contemporary science surrounding Buchanania lanzan, examining its nutritional value, pharmacological activities, and promising future in both medicine and nutrition.
Centuries in Ayurvedic medicine
Modern research confirms benefits
Nutritional and therapeutic uses
Buchanania lanzan is far more than just a source of tasty seeds. This versatile tree offers a spectrum of nutritional benefits that have sustained tribal communities for generations, particularly in central India. The fruit pulp is not only sweet and juicy but also rich in essential nutrients.
According to research, the pulp contains approximately 20.51% carbohydrates, 1.93% crude protein, and 0.67% fat, making it a valuable energy source 2 . Tribal communities, including pregnant women, often use these fruits as nutritional supplements, which may contribute to their enhanced immunity compared to people in rural and urban settings 5 .
The therapeutic potential of Buchanania lanzan stems from its rich profile of bioactive compounds. Phytochemical studies have revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenolic compounds, tannins, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, triterpenoids, and coumarins 1 5 .
| Plant Part | Major Bioactive Compounds | Biological Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Seeds | Polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid | Antioxidant, cytoprotective, nutritional |
| Leaves | Myricetin 3'-rhamnoside-3-galactoside, flavonoids, alkaloids | Antialzheimer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory |
| Bark | Flavonoids, tannins, phenolic compounds | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory |
| Roots | Flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, steroids | Wound healing, antimicrobial, antibiofilm |
The seeds are especially noteworthy for their edible oil content, characterized by beneficial fatty acid esters like oleic, linoleic, and stearic acids 1 .
These seeds also contain significant amounts of polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, and saponins, which contribute to their strong antioxidant properties 1 .
This diverse phytochemical profile not only provides nutritional value but also forms the basis for the plant's various pharmacological activities.
The traditional use of Buchanania lanzan in Ayurvedic, Unani, and Siddha systems of medicine has prompted rigorous scientific investigation into its pharmacological properties. Contemporary research has uncovered an impressive range of therapeutic activities that support its traditional applications.
The antioxidant capacity of Buchanania lanzan is perhaps its most thoroughly studied property. Research has demonstrated that different parts of the plant exhibit varying degrees of free radical scavenging activity.
A comparative study of methanolic extracts from leaves and bark revealed potent inhibition against ABTS radicals, with the bark extract showing particularly strong activity (IC50 value of 1.96 µg/ml) 6 . Both extracts also showed good activity against DPPH radicals, though the leaf extract showed limited inhibition against hydrogen peroxide radicals 6 .
In a fascinating exploration of Buchanania lanzan's potential neuroprotective effects, researchers investigated the anti-Alzheimer activity of methanolic leaf extracts.
The study employed Albino Wistar rats induced with Alzheimer's-like symptoms through aluminum chloride administration 3 . The rats were treated with two different doses of the leaf extract (200 mg and 400 mg/kg/day) for 28 days.
Results demonstrated that the leaf extract significantly attenuated memory deficits in various behavioral tests including elevated plus maze, radial arm maze, and T-maze paradigms 3 .
The wound healing activity of Buchanania lanzan root extract has been scientifically validated through both excision and incision wound models 8 .
Topical application of a 10% (w/w) ointment of the methanolic root extract significantly increased tensile strength by 40.84% in the incision wound model and promoted substantial wound contraction in the excision model 8 .
This wound healing potential was supported by pronounced antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) ranging from 0.625 to 1.25 mg/mL 8 .
Recent advances in nanotechnology have opened new avenues for exploring Buchanania lanzan's anticancer properties. Researchers developed PEG-coated chitosan nanoparticles containing Buchanania lanzan oil (BOCNo) and evaluated their efficacy against various cancer cell lines 4 .
The optimized nanoformulation showed significant anticancer activity against prostate cancer (PC3), lung cancer (A549), and liver cancer (MIAPACA) cell lines 4 .
GC-MS analysis of the oil revealed 24 compounds, including known anticancer agents like β-sitosterol, stegmasterol, tocopherol, squalene, and n-hexadecanoic acid 4 .
Strong free radical scavenging
Memory enhancement in studies
40.84% increased tensile strength
Effective against multiple cancer lines
One of the most compelling demonstrations of Buchanania lanzan's therapeutic potential comes from a detailed in vitro study investigating the cytoprotective activity of its seeds. This research provides crucial insights into how this plant protects cells from oxidative damage—a fundamental process underlying numerous health disorders.
The study employed a systematic approach to evaluate the cytoprotective potential:
The findings from this experiment revealed a striking dose-dependent cytoprotective effect of the chironji seed extract. At the lowest concentration tested (20 µg/ml), cell viability remained high at 99.09%, demonstrating nearly complete protection against oxidative damage 1 .
Even at the highest concentration (100 µg/ml), significant cytoprotection was maintained with 84.88% viability 1 . In stark contrast, cells treated with ethanol (a cytotoxic agent) showed a dramatic reduction in viability, plummeting to 16.85% at 100 µg/ml 1 .
These results clearly indicate that the chironji seed extract provides substantial protection against oxidative stress-induced cellular damage. The researchers suggested that the protective mechanisms likely involve scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS), stabilizing cellular membranes, and potentially enhancing endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity 1 . This cytoprotective activity provides a scientific basis for the traditional use of chironji seeds in formulations targeting conditions linked to oxidative stress.
| Concentration (µg/mL) | % Cell Viability | Protection Level |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | 99.09% | Very High |
| 40 | 97.46% | Very High |
| 60 | 95.38% | High |
| 80 | 88.92% | High |
| 100 | 84.88% | Moderate High |
| Ethanol Control (100 µg/mL) | 16.85% | Very Low |
Investigating the pharmacological properties of Buchanania lanzan requires specific research reagents and methodologies. These tools enable scientists to standardize extracts, evaluate biological activities, and identify active compounds.
| Research Reagent/Method | Function/Application | Specific Examples from Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Solvents for Extraction | Extract bioactive compounds from plant material | Ethanol 1 , Methanol 3 6 , Petroleum ether, Ethyl acetate, Chloroform 8 |
| Cell Lines | Evaluate cytotoxicity and protective effects | L929 mouse fibroblast cells 1 , PC3 (prostate cancer), A549 (lung cancer), MIAPACA (liver cancer) cells 4 |
| Assay Kits/Reagents | Measure specific biological activities | MTT assay for cell viability 1 , DPPH, ABTS, H₂O₂ for antioxidant activity 6 |
| Analytical Instruments | Identify and quantify chemical compounds | GC-MS for oil analysis 4 , Rotary evaporator for extract concentration 1 |
| Enzymes | Enhance extraction efficiency | Cellulase 2 and Pectinase 7 for juice extraction |
Buchanania lanzan represents a fascinating convergence of traditional knowledge and scientific validation. From its roots in ancient medicinal systems to its promising applications in modern therapeutics, this remarkable tree continues to reveal its secrets through rigorous scientific investigation.
The research we've explored—from its potent antioxidant and cytoprotective properties to its neuroprotective, wound healing, and anticancer potential—paints a picture of a multifaceted medicinal plant with significant therapeutic value.
The economic potential of Buchanania lanzan further enhances its importance. As noted by the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), Chironji fruit has an estimated annual potential of 10 million kilograms, valued at approximately 230 Crore Indian Rupees (over 30 million US dollars) 2 .
Government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) are promoting the value addition, branding, and marketing of such forest produces to generate livelihoods for tribal communities 2 . Value-added products like squash, RTS (ready-to-serve beverages), and nectar can be prepared from the fruit pulp, expanding its applications beyond traditional uses 2 .
By honoring traditional knowledge while embracing scientific innovation, Buchanania lanzan may well emerge as an important contributor to both natural medicine and nutritional science in the years to come.