Abstract
The Terminalia spp. (family Combretaceae) are medicinal plants with a wide spectrum of medicinal properties. The fruits of Terminalia chebula are used as a traditional medicine in Asia, especially in India.
These plants contain various phytochemicals such as hydrolysable tannins, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and flavonoids, so it may prove to be a good therapeutic alternative. Anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, antitumor, antimutagenic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, gastroprotective, antioxidant, and antiviral effects have been demonstrated.
The extract from T. chebula also accelerates wound healing. Neuroprotective, antidepressant and anxiolytic effects are the center of attention.
So far, the extracts of these plants are tested only on laboratory animals and clinical trials are still lacking to demonstrate their effects in humans