Comparison Based on Pharmacognostical and Pharmacological Profile of Thuja Orientalis Linn. And Thuja Occidentalis Linn.: A Review

Abstract

Background: Thuja is an ornamental tree. It is a very vast genus that belongs to the Gymnosperms group of plants. The leaves, bark and fruits of genus Thuja have been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of uterine carcinomas, cystitis, respiratory tract infections, bacterial skin infections, osteoarthritis and several nerve disorders. It can also be used as an abortifacient and contraceptive. These claims can be validated through previously done studies over the Thuja species. This review based of exhaustive evidence, vital considerations of botanical expression, traditional uses, physicochemical parameters, phytochemical study and relevant pharmacological activity studies justifies the comparison between two very potent species of the genus Thuja. Method: A virtual search of technical databases such as Google Scholar (4), Science Direct (6), Web of Science (5), PubMed (10), and Research Gate (8) was done to collect the data. Information was also acquired from research articles, review articles, relevant books and theses to organize all the scientific literature presented to deliver a portion of inclusive evidence on the comparison of these Thuja species. Results: Several pharmacological findings discovered broad spectrum of animal activities like anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antioxidant properties. Both species of Thuja like T. occidentalis and T. orientalis screening parameters phytochemically leads to the detection of flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, alkaloids, saponins, coumarins, steroids and cardiac glycosides in diverse areas of these species of the plant. The therapeutic components isolated from T. occidentalis and T. orientalis are (viz., ursolic acid, β-sitosterol, quercetin, dalspinin, rutin, tannic acid, kaempferol and epigallocatechin). Among these compounds few of them also revealed varied therapeutic activities including antineoplastic, hepatorenal protective, anti-oxidant, cardio-protective, anti- inflammatory, neuroprotective, immune- regulatory and anti-diabetic vindicating some of the traditional uses of this plant. The majority of the studies carried out on T. occidentalis and T. orientalis engrossed on their anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory activities specifically. Conclusion: In this study, comparative analysis has been quoted between both the species of Thuja and medicinal potential of both the species was discussed which anticipates in making up-to-date substantiation for exploring the scientific and therapeutic potentials of the aforementioned species for the future study purpose and acts as a very potent analytical tool for researchers who want to work on these species in future.