Authors : Pratiksha Ashok Jadhav; Dr. Mangal S. Gaikwad

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/45zpvdjm

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/mukfuks5

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26jan194

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : Sapindus trifoliatus, commonly known as soapnut or reetha, is a well-known medicinal plant of the Sapindaceae family found mainly in tropical regions of India. The plant is valued for its high content of saponins along with other phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and glycosides. These compounds contribute to its wide range of biological activities including antibacterial, antifungal, anti- inflammatory, antioxidant, and insect-repellent properties. Traditionally, Sapindus trifoliatus has been used for cleansing purposes, hair care, and the treatment of skin and respiratory disorders. Its natural foaming ability makes it an important ingredient in herbal shampoo and cosmetic preparations. This abstract presents an overview of the medicinal importance, phytochemical profile, and pharmaceutical applications of Sapindus trifoliatus, highlighting its potential as a natural and eco-friendly therapeutic agent.

Keywords : Sapindus Trifoliatus, Soapnut (Reetha), Sapindaceae, Medicinal Plant, Phytochemicals Saponins, Triterpenoid Saponins, Antimicrobial Activity, Anti-Inflammatory Activity, Antioxidant Activity, Traditional Medicine, Herbal Drug, Pharmacological Properties, Ethnomedicinal Uses, Natural Surfactant.

References :

1. Arulmozhi DK, Veeranjaneyulu A, Arora SK, Bodhankar SL. “Investigations into the antinociceptive activity of Sapindus trifoliatus in various pain models,” J Pharm. Pharmacol. 2004; 56(5):655-661.
2. Arulmozhi DK, Veeranjaneyulu A, Bodhankar SL, Arora SK. “Pharmacological investigations of Sapindus trifoliatus in various in vitro and in vivo models of inflammation,” Indian J Pharmacol. 2005; 37(2):96- 102.
3. Hari Jagannadha Rao G, Lakshmi P. “Sapindus trifoliatus: A review,” Int. J Pharm. Technol. 2012; 4(3):2201-2214.
4. Pelegrini DD, Tsuzuki JK, Amado CAB, Cortez DAG, Ferreira ICP. “Biological activity and isolated compounds in Sapindus saponaria L. and other plants of the genus Sapindus,” Lat. Am. J Pharm. 2008; 27(06):992-997.
5. Upadhyay A, Singh DK. “Pharmacological effects of Sapindus mukorossi,” Rev. Inst. Med. Trop. Sao Paulo. 2012; (54):5273-280.
6. B.N.Suhagia, I.S.Rathod, Sunil Sindhu, "Sapindus Mukorossi (A reetha): An Overview," International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, vol.2, Issue no.8, pp. 1905–1913, July, 2011.
7. Sharma A., Sati S. C., Sati. O. P. and Kothiyal S. K., “Chemical Constituents and Bioactivities of Genus Sapindus” IJRAP, vol.2, Issue no.2, pp. 403–409, March, 2011.
8. Bibi George, S. Shanmugam, “Phytochemical Screening and Antimicrobial activity of Fruit extract of Sapindus Mukorossi” Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci, , vol.3, Issue no.10, pp. 604–611, 2014.
9. Dipak Bhargava, Jagadish Narayan Shivapuri, Sanjay Kar, Bijay Raj Pandit, Amrullah Sidhiqie, Aahuti Upadhyay, Shikha Thakur, Keshab Chandra Mondal, “Evaluation of Antigonorrhoeal Activity of Saponins Extract of Sapindus Mukorossi Gaertn” v Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences, vol.7, Issue no.2, pp. 459–470, April-June, 2012.
10. Arulmozhi DK, Veeranjaneyulu A, Bodhankar SL, Arora SK., “Effect of Sapindus trifoliatus on hyperalgesic in vivo migraine models” Braz. J. of Med.and Bio. Res, vol.38, Issue no.3, pp. 469–475, March, 2005.
11. Singh S, Singh VK, Singh DK., “Molluscicidal activity of some common spice plants” Biol. Agric. Hortic. vol.14, Issue no.3, pp. 237–249, 1997.
12. Takagi K, Park EH, Kato H, “Anti-inflammatory activities of hederagenin and crude saponin isolated from Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn” Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo), vol.28, Issue no.4, pp. 1183–8, Aug. 1980.
13. Tanaka O, Tamura Y, Masuda H, Mizutani K., “Application of saponins in food and cosmetics: saponins of Mohova Yucca and Sapindus mukorossi Gaertn, saponins used in food and agriculture” New York: Plenum Press; Waller GR and Yamasaki K, pp. 1-11, 1996.
14. Deore S. L., Khadabadi S. S., K.P.Chittam, P.G‟.Bhujade, T.P.Wane, Y.R.Nagpurkar, P.D. Chanekar, R. G. Jain, “Properties and pharmalogical applications of saponins” Pharmacologyonline 2, pp. 61–84, 2009.
15. Chen et al. Tyrosinase inhibition, free radical scavenging, antimicroorganism and anticancer proliferation activities of Sapindus mukorossi extracts J Taiwan Inst Chem Engrs. 2010; 41:129.
16. .Sindhu et al. Sapindus Mukorossi (Areetha): An Overview, International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. 2011; 2(8):1905-1913.
17. .Sapindus mukorossi. Natural Resources Convervation Service Plant Database. USDA.
18. Mondal et al. Evaluation F ANtigonorrhoeal Activity of Saponin Extract of Sapindus Mukorossi
19. Gaertn Research Journal of Pharmaceutical, Biological and Chemical Sciences. 2012; 3(2):459. 19 .Orwa et al. Agroforestry Database 2009; 4:1-5.
20. Sonawane et al. A Review of Recent and Current Research Studies on the Biological and Pharmalogical Activities of Sapindus Mukorossi, International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research and Innovations. 2015; 3(4):85-95.
21. Rao et al. Sapindus Trifoliatus: A Review IJPT, 2012; 4(3):2201-2214.
22. Dev I et al. Glyceride composition of Sapindus mukorossi (Soapnut) oil Indian Journal of Forestry. 1979; 2(3):261-263.