Insight into Ethnopharmacology of Quercus Infectoria with the possible mechanism of action

Abstract

Introduction: Exploring medicinal plants for novel therapeutic strategies is the need of the day. This is because of drug resistance against most of the available drugs. Natural products serve as a safe and potential alternative. This review focuses on Quercus infectoria, a plant belonging to family-Fagaceae with potential therapeutic usage. The aim of this review is to explore the ethnopharmacological properties of Quercus infectoria in various diseases and to explore the mechanism of action responsible for a specific potential of Quercus infectoria such as anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory etc. Methods: Historical data about the Quercus infectoria plant has been collected by virtue of systematic search and review through the unpublished, published resources, databases regionally and globally. Results: Quercus infectoria extracts and various pure compounds such as tannic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, methyl gallate have been reported to possess significant therapeutic potential against various diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disorders. There have been some reports on the molecular mechanism behind their medicinal value. Pure compounds/constituents of Quercus infectoria which are responsible for these therapeutic efficacies have been less explored. Conclusion: Quercus infectoria has shown activities against various ailments such as diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, antimicrobial activity, anti-inflammatory, anticancer etc. Moreover, when explored on the mechanistic aspect, it was found that it mediates its function by modulating various signaling/metabolic pathways such as AKT signaling, NF-кB and JAK/STAT pathways. However, more studies need to be focused on in vivo investigation of its medicinal importance in animal models along with pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and toxicity.