Vol. 13, Issue 3 (2025)

Phytochemical analyses have revealed that Mesua ferrea is a rich source of secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, xanthones, coumarins, triterpenoids, steroids, tannins, and essential oils. Advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques like HPLC, GC-MS, and NMR have led to the isolation and structural characterization of several bioactive compounds, including mesuaferrone-A, mesuol, ferulic acid, and xanthones with potent biological activities.

Pharmacologically, Mesua ferrea exhibits a broad spectrum of bioactivities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, antidiabetic, wound healing, hepatoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. These activities are attributed to the synergistic actions of its diverse phytochemicals that modulate oxidative stress, inflammatory pathways, microbial growth, and metabolic imbalances.

Of particular interest is the anticancer potential of Mesua ferrea. Several studies have reported cytotoxic effects of its extracts and isolated compounds against various human cancer cell lines, including breast (MCF-7), colon (HT-29), and cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. Mechanistic studies suggest that the anticancer effects are mediated through induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, and inhibition of angiogenesis and metastasis. Xanthones and coumarins, in particular, have shown strong pro-apoptotic and anti-proliferative properties via modulation of key signaling pathways such as PI3K/Akt, NF-?B, and caspase cascades.

This comprehensive evaluation supports the traditional medicinal use of Mesua ferrea and provides a scientific basis for its continued exploration as a source of novel therapeutic agents. Further research involving in vivo models, molecular docking studies, and clinical trials is essential to validate its efficacy and safety for potential pharmaceutical applications.