Phyto-Chemical, Pharmacological, Ethno-Botanical and Ecological Importance of Prunus cerasoides D. Don. for Human Health and Livelihood Development: A Review

Prunus cerasoides D. Don, a deciduous tree of the Rosaceae family, is widely distributed across the Himalayan regions including the North-central Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, as well as the countries of Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand and the Western part of China. Additionally, it can be found in various parts of India’s North-eastern provinces, including Sikkim, Assam, Khasi Hills, Manipur and Mizoram and is valued for its therapeutic and ethnobotanical importance. This review summarizes the phytochemical constituents identified from various parts of the plant, including flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, glycosides, and sterols. Documented pharmacological properties include antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, and anti-plasmodial effects, as well as protective activity against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The plant is also used in traditional medicine for treating wounds, fractures, skin conditions, and digestive disorders. Indigenous knowledge across different regions of India and neighbouring countries highlights its continued relevance in local healthcare systems. This compilation provides an updated account of the phytopharmacological and ethnomedicinal attributes of P. cerasoides as reported in the literature.