Semecarpus Anacardium : from Ayurveda to Modern Medicine

Medicinal plant preparations have found widespread use particularly in the case of diseases not amenable to treatment by modern methods. Semecarpus anacardium (SA) linn (Family: Anacardiaceae), is a plant well-known for its medicinal value in ayurvedic and siddha system of medicine. Chemical and phytochemical analyses of Semecarpus anacardium nut reveal the presence of biflavonoids, phenolic compounds, bhilawanols, minerals, vitamins and amino acids. The results of preclinical and toxicity study provide the necessary data for further clinical trials in immunomodulatory disorders with SA nut as an 'add on' therapy to established immunomodultory agents. Semecarpus anacardium can be a potential complementary in drug therapy as immunomodulator in cancer therapy.