BUCHANANIA LANZAN SPRENG. CHIRONJI: ETHNOMEDICINAL USES, PHYTOCHEMISTRY, PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES, AND FUTURE RESEARCH PERSPECTIVES—A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

Akash Kumar Mishra*, Shivam Aditya

Often referred to as Chironji or Charoli, Buchanania lanzan Spreng (Family: Anacardiaceae) is a medicinally significant tree indigenous to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent. It has been used extensively in ancient medical systems, such as Ayurveda, Unani, and Siddha, to treat skin conditions, ulcers, diarrhea, inflammation, and other illnesses. This paper offers a thorough summary of B. lanzan's taxonomy, botanical traits, geographic range, ethnomedical applications, phytochemical composition, pharmacological qualities, toxicity, commercial value, and potential for further study. Major scientific databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, and ResearchGate, were used to gather pertinent material published between 2000 and 2026. According to the evidence that is currently available, B. lanzan is rich in a variety of bioactive compounds that contribute to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, wound-healing, anticancer, hepatoprotective, antihyperlipidemic, and other pharmacological activities. These compounds include flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, phenolic acids, alkaloids, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and polysaccharides. Its medicinal potential has been further increased by recent developments in formulations based on nanotechnology. Despite its promising medicinal value, several challenges remain, including limited clinical studies, insufficient pharmacokinetic data, and the need for standardized formulations and conservation strategies. Overall, Buchanania lanzan represents a valuable yet underexplored medicinal plant with significant potential for future pharmaceutical development and clinical application.