Betula utilis D. Don, (B.utilis) commonly known as the Himalayan silver birch or Bhojpatra, is a long-lived member of the Betulaceae family and grows in the subalpine zones of the Himalayan region at elevations ranging from 2,700 to 4,500 m. This species of Betula genus holds significant value in traditional and folk medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine, where its bark has been used to cure various illnesses, such as blood and ear infections, pneumonia, convulsions, skin ailments, and many more. Phytochemical investigations reveal that B. utilis is abundant in triterpenoids, flavonoids, phenols, vitamins, and essential oils, among other compounds. Pharmacologically, the species exhibits a wide range of activities, including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, hepatoprotective, anti-psoriatic, anti-obesity, anti-urolithiasis, anticonvulsant, anti-HIV, and antioxidant properties. This study summarizes research on the botanical taxonomy, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties, and ethnomedicinal uses, of B. utilis that was published between 1968 and 2024. Furthermore, toxicological studies are also discussed to provide insights into the safety profile of this species, an essential consideration for its therapeutic applications. To retrieve literature, search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were used. This comprehensive review provides detailed information on the traditional uses, phytochemical composition, pharmacological activity, and toxicological aspects of B. utilis by integrating traditional knowledge with current findings. These reviews aim to serve as a valuable resource for researchers to guide future investigations.
Key words: Betula utilis, Betulaceae, Phytochemistry, Traditional uses, Pharmacology, Toxicology
|
