Butea monosperma, also known as the 'Flame of the forest' or 'Palas' in Hindi, belongs to the important medicinal plant family “Fabaceae.” Its endemic presence in Southeast Asia and India has made it a valuable natural resource. This plant has a variety of medicinal applications, such as being an aphrodisiac, antiinflammatory, anthelmintic, antimicrobial, and many more. The presence of flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, chalcones, and fatty acids in different parts of B. monosperma, including the stem, root, leaves, and flowers, makes it a versatile ingredient in various therapeutic exercises. The stem is the source of (-)-medicarpin, an isoflavone that imparts anti-fungal properties to the plant. Two flavanone compounds, namely butrin and butein (flavanones), have been extracted from B. monosperma flowers and are used as contraceptives. Butein, in particular, exhibits anti-tumor activity that opens doors to curing ovarian cancer. Additionally, butein is an excellent free radical scavenger. The seed oil of this plant can also be used for its bactericidal and fungicidal properties.
Keywords: Butea monosperma, Butein, Chalcone, Isoflavone, Palas, (-)- medicarpin.
