Ethnomedicinal usage, phytochemicals and biological activities of oleaster -an underutilized fruit

Since long, the plants of oleaster have been an inseparable part of the folk medicine of the people of Central and South-eastern Asia, trans-Caucassus, Mediterranean regions and Ladakh in India. Almost every part of the plant including fruits, flowers, leaves, flowering branches, bark of stem, and root has its role in the traditional system of medicines. These plant parts are used either directly or in the form of extract prepared as decoction or tincture. Sometimes these are mixed with plant parts of other species and then consumed. The preparations find use for a range of disorders and diseases. There has been attempt to verify these anecdotal claims through pharmacological studies. However, extensive systematic research on its phytomedicinal worth using state-of-the-art tools and methodologies is lacking. This document is an attempt to scan and scrutinize all the available literature on these aspects of the species. We have also intensively examined the research findings related to phytochemicals present in this species and tried to establish their biological activities through related text available in this field. At the end of the review we have enlisted a few of the gap areas of research that needs to be taken up by the scientists that will help to fully harness the benefits of this tree and develop novel products for human health.