Phytochemistry, pharmacological activities, and ethnobotanical significance of Erythrina stricta: A comprehensive review

Erythrina stricta Roxb. is a valuable medicinal plant that is widely utilized in the traditional treatment systems of South and Southeast Asia to treat a variety of diseases such as inflammation, pain, fever, microbial infection, and neurological problems, emphasizing its ethnopharmacological value. This review seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of E. stricta Roxb. ’s pharmacognostic properties, phytochemical constituents, and pharmacological activities, while also correlating traditional users with modern scientific findings to support its potential for treatment. A systematic literature search was performed using the databases such as PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar. Ethnobotanical documentation, phytochemical analyses, and pharmacological evaluations were all thoroughly reviewed. Phytochemical analysis reveals the existence of many bioactive substances, including alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and phenolics. Pharmacological studies show that different parts of the plant have antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anticonvulsant, and neuroprotective properties. The network pharmacology approach shows that the active compounds interact with important targets such as AKT1, matrix metalloproteinase 9, and vascular endothelial growth factor A, as well as influencing the PI3K-Akt and nuclear factor kappa pathways which confirms the previously claimed therapeutic effects. Preclinical evidence strongly supports the traditional application of E. stricta Roxb. Its broad bioactive profile implies significant promise for the development of new phytotherapeutics. However, more research, including mechanism elucidation, standardization, and clinical validation, is required for safe and effective medical usage.