A Review on Ethnobotanical, Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile of Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks

Introduction: Pinus wallichiana A.B. Jacks. or the blue pine is one of the important conifer that grows all along the Himalayan range from Afghanistan in the west to Myanmar and China in the east covering the Himalayan regions of Pakistan, Nepal and India. It is found in the upper region of the mountains and often remains associated with other gymnosperms. The plant is of immense ethnobotanical relevance and finds extensive use among the people inhabiting the mountainous region. They are primarily valued for its timber and used for construction and infrastructural purposes. Medicinally the plant is very much important. Throughout the Himalayan region the plant is used for the cure of a number of diseases including treatment of fever, cough and cold, bone fracture, healing of injury and wounds, rheumatic pain, arthritis, inflammations etc. The plant is rich in terpenoids and flavonoids all of which possess strong antioxidant properties. Methods: Extensive literature survey was made in the internet with pubmed, google scholar forming the search platform to illustrate the traditional usage of the plant among inhabitants of various regions of Himalayas. Informations of traditional usage, chemical constituents and selected pharmacological activities of the plant were pooled from available research papers to frame the review. Results and Outcome: In this review, an attempt has been made to compile the ethnobotanical usage of Pinus wallichiana, its phytochemistry and pharmacological activity highlighting its potentiality as a cheap and affordable source of drugs for the benefit of population of Indian subcontinent and adjoining areas.