Understanding Tecomella undulata: an endangered pharmaceutically important timber species of hot arid regions

Abstract

Tecomella undulata (Sm.) Seem (family Bignoniaceae) is an economically and pharmaceutically important small tree of arid regions of India, Pakistan and Arabia. It is well known as ‘Desert teak’ or ‘Marwar teak’ being the main source of timber amongst the tree species of desert region of Rajasthan, India. T. undulata has occupied a reputed position of having valuable medicinal properties in both folk and classical streams of indigenous medicinal systems. Plant is well-known for its wide range of therapeutic activities like hepatoprotective, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antifungal and anti-termite, immunomodulatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, etc. Rohitakaarishta, an ayurvedic drug obtained from T. undulata, is the classical compound which is being prescribed in liver and spleen diseases, oedema and anaemia. This well accepted agroforestry tree of the arid regions is heading towards extinction due to its increasing demand in timber and pharmacological industries coupled with negligible conservation efforts. This species has now been designated as “threatened” in Rajasthan, India. Susceptibility to many pathogens and pests is one of the major problems and detrimental factor in successful establishment and growth of this tree. Conventionally, it is propagated through seeds; however, natural regeneration of plants is poor due to air dispersal of seeds to remote areas, extreme environmental conditions during seed dispersal, improper harvest and storage of seeds, and short seed viability. The tree is very slow growing and suitable vegetative propagation methods are not available for its rapid multiplication. Alternatively, attempts have been made to propagate this tree through in vitro approaches; however, it also has many limitations including difficulties in culture establishment, slow growth, low rooting rates as well as field establishment rates. Moreover, little information is available regarding genetic diversity in this species using morphological and molecular markers. Efforts to undertake breeding programs for improvement of T. undulata have not been initiated yet. Some literature is available regarding cytology, role in agroforestry and silviculture, association with vesicular arbuscular mycorrhiza and application of biotechnological tools in T. undulata, however, an exponential increase in research publications on identification of bioactive constituents and verification of pharmacological effects has been recorded in the recent past. In this communication, we emphasize the research progress made in T. undulata on various aspects and suggest some future directions of research.