Medicinal Potential of Laxmi Taru (Simarouba Glauca DC)

Cancer is becoming a high-profile disease throughout the world and for its treatment most prevalent technique is chemotherapy which has its limitations due to many toxic or side effects on healthy or non-cancerous body parts. Therefore, there is a demand for alternative and supportive anticancer agents for treatments which are naturally-derived with minimal side effects. This review paper highlights the therapeutic importance, safety, and efficacy of the Laxmi Taru along with their active constituents used either as single plant-decoctions, extracts, or in combinations especially in some traditional herbal medicines. World Health organization (WHO) is promoting this concept as ‘Save plants to save lives.’ Among the key health issues, WHO have also said that, cancer is the second leading cause of death globally. The plethora of secondary metabolites (therapeutic agents) found in the plant are the rich source to find the alternative safe anti-cancer agents.