Abstract
Arecaceae have more than 2500 species and are widely distributed in tropical, subtropical areas. Caryota mitis (C. mitis), popularly known as Fishtail plants, has been documented in ethno pharmacology in various countries and regions. In ancient times, people used these plants to treat diseases such as headaches, gastrointestinal-associated diseases, snake bite poisoning, wounds, hair loss, diarrhoea, inflammation, tooth ailments, lesions, bronchitis, emetic, etc. Due to its pharmacological properties, C. mitis has recently garnered considerable global interest as a significant medicinal plant. Thus, this study systematically summarized ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, pharmacology activity and potential uses of this plant. The different databases are searched till August 2024, including Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Research Gate, and Google Scholar using “Caryota mitis L.” OR “Fishtail Plant” with “Pharmacology,” “Phytochemistry,” “Toxicology,” and “Ethnopharmacology” and collects relevant information on C. mitis. The current phytochemical investigation suggests that C. mitis is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolic, and fatty acids. The purslane extracts, or compounds, exhibited various pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, antitumor, antiplatelet, anti-asthmatic, and antioxidant properties. Based on the review, C. mitis exhibit a variety of phytochemicals that may be offered and continue to be the focus of future research in treating different diseases. Some preliminary in-vitro and in-vivo pharmacological studies of C. mitis have been demonstrated, while other traditional uses still need to be confirmed by research.
Keywords: Antioxidant, Arecaceae, Caryota mitis, Ethnopharmacology, Fishtail Palm, Flavonoids, Pharmacological Potential.