Satvir Singh

Cordia dichotoma Forst. (Family Boraginaceae) is a tree of tropical and sub-tropical regions, grows in the sub-Himalayan tract and outer ranges, ascending upto about 1500 m elevation. It found in a variety of places like, the dry deciduous forests of Rajasthan and moist deciduous forest of western Ghat and tidal forests in Myanmar. The common name of the plant is Lasura, Borla, Bhokar etc. Phytochemically it consists of carbohydrates, alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins and saponins. Chemical screening of both fruit and leaves shows the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, coumarines, flavonoids, saponins, terpenes and sterol. Pharmacologically proved activities are anti-ulcer, wound healing, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective activity.