Butea superba

Butea monosperma and Butea superba belonging to the family, Fabaceae are most exploited medicinal plants by different tribal groups of Jharkhand. They are commonly found in the hills and jungles of Jharkhand and are used against arthritis, osteoarthritis, diarrhoea, dysentery, snakebite, male sexual debilities, sunstroke, leucorrhoea, anthelmintic and filariasis. Ethanolic exacts of the barks and flowers of both the plants did not exhibit significant antibacterial and antifungal activities. Phytochemical analyses revealed a total of 14 bioactive compounds from the barks and flowers of B. monosperma and B. superba.  Successful management of several diseases among the ethnic groups of Jharkhand, is indicative of presence of curative drugs without toxicity and side effects, and it could further the isolation and purification of active compounds contained in them.