A critical review on the phytochemistry, pharmacology and toxicology of Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw. (= Caesalpinia pulcherrima f. flava (O. Deg.) H. St. John, Caesalpinia pulcherrima var. flava Bailey & Rehder) is an ornamental plant with medicinal values belonging to the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae) and the genus Caesalpinia. The plant is a native of tropical America and is extensively cultivated in gardens globally for its beautiful flowers. The plant is well-mentioned in the ethnomedicine that led the researchers to use modern pharmacological methods to discover the diverse phytochemicals in different parts of C. pulcherrima with bioactive potential. The current review discusses on the phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological aspects of C. pulcherrima along with a brief note on the biosynthesis of major classes of phytochemicals in this plant. Altogether 70 articles published between 2007 and 2023 that are related to the phytochemicals in C. pulcherrima and their biosyntheisis were collected from online scientific databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, ACS and Google Scholar. The isolated phytochemicals from C. pulcherrima were tested for various pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antidiabetic and insecticidal activities discussed in the current review will pave the way for the discovery of new drugs.