ABSTRACT
Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Oleaceae) popularly known as “Parijat” is a plant of great importance in India. It iswidely used in Ayurvedic medicines. Each part of this plant has some medicinal value. It possesses extensivemedicinal uses, viz., antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, sedative effect, laxative, and expectorant, inrheumatism. The present review aims to perform a detailed compilation of work done on this plant mainly asa source of the antioxidant and anticancer agent as well as various pharmacological properties from 1987 totill date. All these activities possessed by plants are due to the presence of multiple phytochemicals which canact as a source of active pharmacological agents. Crude extracts, as well as pure compounds like 4-hydroxyhexahydrobenzofuran-7-one, 6β-hydroxyloganin, and Arbortristoside A from seeds, a polysaccharide fromleaves, and Naringenin from the stem, are reported for its anticancer and antioxidant properties. The need ofthe hour is to provide scientific validation of ethnomedicinal use of this plant. The present study can be usedto highlight the need for research and potential development of natural therapeutic products with lesser sideeffects.