Review

A Review on Tectona grandis.linn: Chemistry and Medicinal uses (FAMILY: VERBENACEAE)

*Rajuri Aradhana, K.N.V.Rao, David Banji and R.K. Chaithanya

Abstract
The plant Tectona grandis.Linn (TG) commonly known as 'Teak' (English) is a large to very large deciduous tree, 20-35m in height with light brown bark which belongs to the Family Verbenaceae. The whole plant is medicinally important and many reports on claims to cure several diseases in Indian traditional system of medicine particularly in Ayurveda and in folklore. In the present study an attempt has been made to provide maximum information about the plant Tectona grandis.linn which helps in its identity. Keywords: Tectona grandis.Linn (F: Verbenaceae), Phytochemistry, Traditional uses, Tectoionols.

Introduction
Teak is large to very large deciduous tree, 25-35 m in height with light brown bark having shallow longitudinal furrows, fluted base and characteristically quadrangular channeled branchlets. Leaves are 3060by 15-30cm, simple, opposite, broadly elliptical or obovate, acute or acuminate, coriaceous, upper surface is rough but usually glabrous, stellately-grey tomentose beneath, entire base, base usually cuneate, Possessing minute glandular dots, main nerves 8-10 pairs with 2 or 3 large branches near the edge of the leaf, joined by numerous parallel transverse veins. Flowers are many, white, small, sweet scented, in large erect terminal branched tomentose cymose panicles, 0.3-0.9m long, with lanceolate bracts which are present beneath the calyx 2.5mm. Calyx in flower is 3mm long. Fruits are enlarged to 2.5 cm long, hard, bony, irregular globose drupes enveloped by light brown bladder-like calyx. Seeds are usually 1-3, ovate, marble white. T. grandis is occasionally cultivated in tropical countries as an ornamental for its large leaves and spreading flower clusters. (Dr Arun Bhatt MDJ et.al, 2004) (G S Goraya et.al, 2008) (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org). Plant Taxonomy Kingdom Subkingdom Super division Division Class Subclass Order Family Genus : Plantae Plants : Tracheobionta Vascular plants : Spermatophyta Seed plants : Magnoliophyta Flowering plants : Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons : Asteridae : Lamiales : Verbenaceae Verbena family : Tectona L. f. tectona

Species

: grandis L. f. teak

Botanical Name: Tectona grandis.linn (www.plants.usda.gov/ java/profile?symbol=TEGR) Botanical Description Tectona grandis.linn is a large deciduous tree which, under favourable conditions, may reach a height of 30-40 m. In dry habitats growth becomes more stunted and branching more widespread and bushy. On good sites, clear boles of 15-20 m or more can usually be obtained, as lower branches are shaded out. Fluting and buttresses are often found at the base of older trees. The bark is thick, grey or light greyish-brown. The leaves are large, 25-50 cm long and 15-35 cm wide, opposite, elliptic or obovate, the underside grey and densely covered with red glandulous hairs. The flowers are small (6-8 mm in diameter), whitishand bisexual. They appear in large panicles containing up to a few thousand flower buds, which open only a few at a time during the flowering period of 2-4 weeks (www.sl.kvl.dk.com). Ecology And Distribution History Of Cultivation Its natural distribution is in Southeast Asia, from the Indian subcontinent through Myanmar and Thailand to Laos. Its early cultivation is by Hindu settlers, possibly in the 7th century, is not clearly established. It is believed teak was introduced to Java 400-600 years from India. At the beginning of this century, T. grandis was introduced to both East and West Africa and 'Trinidad teak' has become particularly well known in the Caribbean region. It is planted for timber or ornament and in botanical gardens. T. grandis was by far the most important export timber in Thailand until all logging in natural forests was banned in 1989 (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org).

Department of pharmacognosy, Nalanda College of Pharmacy, cherlapally, Nalgonda A.P, India, Pin code: 508001. *Corresponding Author: aradhana.rajuri@gmail.com

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S.No 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Language Arabic Assamese Bengali English Hindi Kannada Vernacular Name Saj chingjagu, segun, sagun sagun, segun teak sagaun, sagon, sagvan, sagwan, segun, sagun, sakhu, saigaun, sagwan (introduced), hagwan, hag, nakta jaddi, jadi, saguvani, tega, tegina, tegu, tyaga, tyagadamara, saguani, thekinamara, jaththi, sagoni, saagivaani, thega, thegina mara, tegada mara, jaadi,sagonaro, saguvantega, sagwan, sagwana, sagwani, tegada, tek, tekan, tekki,teku, thaigina, tyagada jati, tekka, tekku, theka, thekku, tek, teka, teku chingsu saga, sagvan, sagwan, sag, saylo teak, tlawr teak, tlawr, sagavan saj, sal anila, arjunopama, arna, atipatraka, balasara, balesara, bhumiruha, bhumisahah, dhrubasadhana, dirghachhada, dvarada, dvaradaru, gandhasara, grihadruma, halimaka, kharacchada, kharachhada, kharapatra, kolaphala, krakachapatra, mahapatra, mahiruha, nau, sabarasara, saka, sakam, shakakhya, shakataru, sharapatra, shreshthakashtha, sthirasara, tailapila, teka, yogi kalindi, kumidigam, sadi, sagam, sarasam, tekku, tekkumaram, cakam, cati, tekku-maram, thekku, thanagaamaram, arimakattuvam, atipattiram arimakattuvamaram, cakaccam, cakakuvancam, cakam3, cakayam, caki@, cakayamaram, cakuvancan, camunam, caracakalini, caracam, caracakalinimaram, catam2, cati3, comavulukkam, cotimavoliccam, ilankali2, irattapakam, kalinti1, katapalam, katpalam2, kattirini, keccam, kumitam, kumitikam, kuvesmaram, makapattira, makattiram, palitam, palakanamaram, palikkanam, palitamaram, perumucuki, piracatanam1 perumucukimaram, pirakirutitta1, rattapakam, rattapakamaram, tirkkaccam, tuvarataru, varataru, varataru@, vatanam@, vatanamaram adaviteku, peddateku, tekkoo, teku, pedda teku, peddatoku, teek, tek, teka, pedda taeku, taeku sa kha pa tra (www.envis.frhlt.org) Propagation Teak is propagated mainly from seeds. Germination of the seeds is often poor and sporadic; it involves pretreatment to remove dormancy arising from the thick pericarp. Pretreatment involves alternate wetting and drying of the seed. The seeds are soaked in water for 12 hours and then spread to dry in the sun for 12 hours. This is repeated for 1014 days .A better method for drying is dry heat. The seeds are heated for 1-5 weeks at 50c or at 48h at 80c. Then the seeds are sown in shallow germination beds of coarse peat covered by sand. The seeds then germinate after 15 to 30 days (www.wikipedia.com). Natural Habitat T. grandis will survive and grow under a wide range of climatic and edaphic conditions. It grows best in a warm, moist, tropical climate with a significant difference between dry and wet seasons. T. grandis is deciduous, while trees grown in non-seasonal climates are semideciduous. It is often a dominant member of a mixed deciduous forest, where its main associates are Xylia spp., Afzelia xylocarpa, Terminalia spp. and Lagerstroemia spp. The forest floor is often covered with bamboo. T. grandis generally occurs scattered but can form almost pure stands under favourable conditions. Young plants show a remarkable capability to recover after fire (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org). Geographical Distribution The Tectona grandis.linn is native to the following counties India, western peninsula, Konkani, Burma, Myanmar, Thailand and Laos and exotic to Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Cote d'lvoire, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, panama, Philippines, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Vietnam, United States Of America, Virgin Islands(US) (www.worldagroforestry.org) Bio-physical Limits Northern limit is latitude 25 N in Myanmar & Southern limit is 9N in India. Teak longitudinal limits are 70-100E (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org). Traditional uses of Tectona Grandis.linn Wood: Sedative, Anthelmintic, piles, in the treatment of gravid uterus, Leucoderma, dysentery, headache, burning pain over liver region, antiinflammatory, anodyne, vermifuge, ophthalmic, depurative, laxative, vitiated conditions of pitta&kapha, neuralgia, arthritis, dyspepsia, flatulence, cough, skin diseases, leprosy, hyperacidity, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, abortion, hemorrhoids, antibilious and lipid disorders. Paste made from the wood is used as a diuretic, stimulant, hepatic, astringent, relief from tooth ache. Wood ash is applied to the swollen eyelids to strengthen the eye sight. Oily product obtained from the wood chips applied to eczema. Root: In the treatment of anuria, urine retention. Leaves: Used for thatching, haemostatic, depurative, antiinflammatory,vulnery, leprosy, skin diseases, puritus, stomatities, indolent ulcers, hemorrhages, Haemoptysis,vitiated conditions of pitta. Seed: Diuretic, emollient, demulcent, skin diseases, prurities and in vitiated conditions of vata.

7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Malayalam Manipuri Marathi Mizoram Oriya Persian Sanskrit

14.

Tamil

15.

Telugu

16.

Tibetan

The Common Vernacular Names of Tectona Grandis:

Cultivation Methods The new plants can also be propagated from cuttings apart from the seed sowing. It is usually planted when the four to six weeks old. Plough the land thoroughly and level it. The best season to plant the teak is monsoon, most probably after the first shower. Carry out weeding operations regularly. Teak requires loamy soil rich in humus and having the right content of moisture with good drainage. It grows well in hilly and dry areas. It requires a dry tropical climate for its growth. It flowers in February and March (www.ecoindia.com).

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Language English, Oriya

Vernacular Name Teak

Uses Reported In coloring clothes, edibles, wood exudes gum is used in pan masala, common cold, whets appetite, relieves headache and acidity. Bitter tonic, fever, headache and stomach problems. Digestion may be enhanced by the teak wood or bark, Tooth-ache (www.ecoindia.com) (www. leaves for scabies (S Sahoo Conservation and Utilization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants) Sedative to gravid uterus and useful in treatment of piles, Leucoderma and dysentery. Bronchitis, biliousness, urinary discharges. Oil from flower is hair promoter and useful in Scabies. Headache, biliousness, burning sensation, pain and liver related troubles and possess anthelmintic and expectorant properties (Www.hort.purdue.edu.sagon.htm) Anti-inflammatory, Diuretic, Anti asthmatics Anti-bronchitis. Seeds yield a fatty oil (2%), and promotes hair- growth; extract used as a lotion for Eye-troubles (www.tarahaat.com). Diuretic (www.sbepl.com) Analgesic, leprosy, obesity, urinary tract infection, hyperacidity, Uterine disorders, Anti-pyretic (www.ayurvedaconsultants.com).

DR. K. M. Nadkarni, A. K. Nadkarni, 1908; Orient Longman,1996) Chemical Constituents Reported In Leaves Quinones: Tectoquinone, lapachol, deoxylapachol and its isomer, tectoleafoquinone, anthraquinone napthaquinone pigment. Steroidal compounds: Squalene, poly isoprene--tolyl methyl ether, betulinic acid, tecto grandone, monoterpene, Apocarotenoids: Tectoionols-A, Tectoionols-B. Glycosides: Anthraquinone glycosides Phenolic acids: Tannic acid, Gallic acid, Ferulic acid, Caffeic acid and ellagic acid. Flavonoids: Rutin and Quercitin Tectona grandis.Linn leaf also reported to contain carbohydrates, alkaloids, tannins, sterols, saponins, proteins, calcium, phosphorus, crude fiber and also contain dye (yellowish-brown or reddish) (The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 2006; D. V. Goswami,2009; Dr. K. S. Krishnan marg, 2006; Majumdar M,2007; Naira Nayeem,2010;)

Hindi

Saguan

Hindi

Sagon

Kannada, English,

Sagwan

Structure of quinone Lapachol

Structure of steroidal compound Betulinic acid

Marathi Sanskrit

Sag Shaak

Structure of Apocarotenoids: Tectoionols-A

Tectoionols-B

O
O HO

HO
OH

O H

The Reported Folklore uses of Tectona Grandis.linn, In Various Vernacular Languages

Structures of Phenolic Acids Oil obtained from seeds promotes the growth of hair and is useful in eczema, ringworm and to check scabies. Bark: Bronchitis, Constipation, Anthelmentic, Depurative, hyperacidity, dysentery, verminosis, burning sensation, diabetes, leprosy, skin diseases, leucoderma, headache, piles, laxative, expectorant, anti-inflammatory, indigestion, expels worms from the body and in vitiated conditions of pitta. Flowers: Bronchitis, biliousness, urinary discharge, diuretic, depurative, anti-inflammatory, burning sensation, dipsia, leprosy, skin diseases, strangury diabetes and vitiated conditions of pitta and kapha. Oil obtained from the flowers promotes growth of hair and useful in scabies, eczema. Infusion of flowers is taken in congestion of liver. Fruits: Diuretic, demulcent, strangury, vesicle calculi, pruritus, stomatitis. All the parts of the plant seeds, flowers, fruits, wood, bark, roots, and leaves are useful either alone or along with other plants for many applications. (C. P. Khare ,2007; K. R. Kirtikar & B. D. Basu, 2006; Dr. K. S. Krishnan marg, 2006; Dr. J. C. Kurian, 'Plants that heal'; Structures of Flavonoids Rutin Gallic acid Ellagic acid

Ferulic acid

Caffeic acid

Quercitin

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Industrial Applications The yellowish brown timber with good grains and texture from teak trunk is used in the manufacture of outdoor furniture, boat decks, and other articles where weather resistance is desired. It is also used for indoor flooring and as a veneer for indoor furnishings. Teak can cause severe blunting on edge tools because of the presence of silica in the wood. Teak's natural oils make it ideal for use in exposed locations and termite and pest proof, where it is durable even when not treated with oil or varnish. Timber cut from old Teak trees was once believed to be more durable and harder than plantation grown Teak. It is very resistant to termite attacks. Mature teak fetches a very good price. It is grown extensively by forest departments of different states in forest areas. Teak consumption encompasses a different set of environmental concerns, such as the disappearance of rare old-growth teak. However, its popularity has led to growth in sustainable production throughout the seasonally dry tropics in forestry plantations. The Forest Stewardship Council offers certification of sustainably grown and harvested teak products. Experiments are ongoing to achieve vegetative propagation from one year old stem cuttings (www.worldagroforestry.org). Marketed Products Gestational Care Formulations: The gestational care formulations are targeted for the use of pregnant women as a supportive natural treatment without any indications. It is recommended by senior gynecologists that these formulations may benefit in intrauterine growth retardation and prevent habitual abortions. Compositions: Each tablet contains: PREGONE (Exclusively for 1st gestational month): Glycyrrhiza glabra, Tectona grandis etc. Dosage: 2 tablets twice daily before meals. INDICATIONS: The compositions are used for proper growth of the fetus. It is specially recommended for habitual abortions and intra-uterine growth retardation. (www.herbalsandcosmetics.com/gynecological-formulationsremedies.com). Conclusion Tectona grandis.linn is a medicinally important plant, various parts of this plant is used to treat many kinds of diseases. This review provides valuable information about the plant which may useful for further research studies on this plant.

The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 2006, part-1, Vol-1, First edition. P: 137-143 G S Goraya et.al, 2008, Demand and Supply of Medicinal Plants in India.. D. V. Goswami, S. A. Nirmal, M. J. Patil, N. S. Dighe, R. B. Laware & S. R. Pattan, 2009,An over view of Tectona grandis: Chemistry and Pharmacological profile Phcog Rev, Vol-3, Issue 5, p:170-174 C. P. Khare, 2007, Indian Medicinal Plants, p: 649-650 K. R. Kirtikar & B. D. Basu, 2006, Indian Medicinal Plants, Vol:3, p: 1924-1926 Dr. K. S. Krishnan marg, 2006, The Useful plants Of India, P: 623 Dr. J. C. Kurian, Plants that heal, p: 295-296 Majumdar M, Nayeem N, Kamath JV, Asad M., 2007 Apr, Evaluation of Tectona grandis leaves for wound healing activity, Pak J Pharm Sci., 20(2):120-4 DR. K. M. Nadkarni, A. K. Nadkarni, 1908, Indian Materia Medica, Vol-1, p:1197-1198 Naira nayeem, Karvekar et al., 2010, Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract of the frontal leaves of Tectona grandis, The Internet Journal of Pharmacology, vol-8, no-1, ISSN: 1531-2976 Naira Nayeem, Karvekar MD, April June 2010, Isolation of phenolic compounds from the methanolic extract of Tectona grandis, Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, Volume 1 Issue 2 Page No. 221-225. Orient Longman, 1996, Indian Medicinal Plants A Compendium Of 500 Species, Vol-5, P: 245-247 S Sahoo, Conservation and Utilization of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants www.sbepl.com www.sl.kvl.dk.com www.tarahaat.com www.en.wikipedia.org www.worldagroforestry.org. www.ayurvedaconsultants.com

Acknowledgement
The authors are thankful to the management and principal of Nalanda College of Pharmacy for their constant support and providing internet and library facilities.

www.ecoindia.com www.haryana-online.com www.herbalsandcosmetics.com/gynecological-formulationsremedies.com www.herbalking.in www.hort.purdue.edu.com

References
Dr Arun Bhatt MD J et al, 2004, Ayurvedic Herbal Industry: QUEST for Global Acceptance, Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine Products JAMA,; 292:2868-2873.

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