Anacardium occidentale bark extract

Anacardium occidentale bark extract is a botanical preparation derived from the stem or cracked bark of the cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L.), widely used in traditional medicine. The extract contains a variety of bioactive secondary metabolites including phenolics, flavonoids, triterpenoids, saponins, and tannins[8][6]. It exhibits multiple pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory[1][7], antioxidant[4][5], antimicrobial (against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungi)[4], hypoglycaemic (blood sugar-lowering)[3], cytoprotective, antigenotoxic, antimutagenic, antiulcerogenic and larvicidal effects[5]. Mechanistically, its actions are attributed to inhibition of lipid peroxidation and lipoxygenase activity due to its high content of natural phenolic compounds[4]. The extract has also demonstrated neutralization of snake venom enzymes in preclinical studies by inhibiting phospholipase A2 and proteases involved in tissue damage and inflammation following envenomation[5]. Traditional uses include treatment for inflammatory conditions (such as sore gums or toothache), diarrhoea, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, detoxification after snake bites (Ayurvedic medicine), skin conditions like leprosy or fungal infections when applied externally; it is also considered contraceptive in some cultures[3][5].

Other names

cashew bark extractAnacardium occidentale stem bark extractcashew tree bark extract