Anti-Cancerous Potentiality of Coumarins of Mesua assamica (King and Prain) Kosterm. – An Endemic Plant of Assam

Plants are part of our daily diet, and the phytochemicals and their nutritional value have been intensively studied for decades. Besides producing essential primary metabolites (e.g. carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids), higher plants also synthesize a wide variety of secondary metabolites which has therapeutic value. The present review aims to aggregate the scientific research data available on anti-cancerous activity of coumarins isolated from Mesua assamica plant which is endemic to Assam in India. It is a slow growing tall evergreen tree belonging to family Clusiaceace. The bark of the plant has been valued in traditional medicine for anti-malarial activity and treating fevers. It has been examined for the cytotoxic activity based on a panel of human cancer cell lines, and for the anti-malarial activity against chloroquine sensitive and resistant clones of Plasmodium falciparum. Coumarins and coumarin-derivatives have been isolated and characterised from root barks and fruit peels, which serves as potent anti-cancer agents. There needs more extensive study to understand the biosynthesis pathway of the bio-molecules so that bio-technological tools can be used for exploitation and drug development. Besides that, the plant needs attention for conservation of the habitat which is limited to the unique physicogeographical conditions of Assam.