Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn.: comprehensive insights into its medicinal, phytochemical and safety profiles

Nyctanthes arbor-tristis Linn., commonly known as the 'Tree of Sadness' belongs to Oleaceae family. In Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and Homeopathic therapeutic systems, it has been used to treat various conditions, including ulcers, skin diseases, hair loss, piles, liver diseases, rheumatism, and malarial fevers. Anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and wound healing actions of extracts from N. arbor-tristis Linn. have been verified by researchers. Alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, sterols, triterpenes, saponins, and glycosides are the bioactive components found in the plant. This review compiles scientific data from various sources, including Scopus, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, to provide a comprehensive overview of N. arbor-tristis Linn. It focuses on the plant's pharmacological activities, phytochemical properties, phytoformulation, toxicological aspects, and ethnomedicinal uses, summarising worldwide studies. Future research on N. arbor-tristis Linn. should focus on isolating and characterising bioactive compounds, understanding their mechanisms, conducting toxicological assessments for safety, and exploring synergistic effects with other drugs.