Pharmacological and nutraceutical potential of Rhododendron arboreum and Trichosanthes dioica: A review

Rhododendron arboreum (R. arboreum) and Trichosanthes dioica (T. dioica) are two ethnobotanically notable plants that are well-known for their diverse pharmacological characteristics as well as their abundant phytochemical composition. Traditionally utilized in Himalayan regions, R. arboreum is abundant in flavonoids, phenolics, saponins, alkaloids and vital minerals. Its flowers are especially valued in local foods and drink preparations. Likewise, T. dioica, a popular vegetable in South Asia, has a variety of bioactive components that support its use in traditional medicine and nutrition such as triterpenes, sterols, glycosides, vitamins and essential fatty acids. The medicinal properties of both plants including their antibacterial, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are encouraging for therapeutic uses. They are excellent candidates for the creation of functional foods and nutraceuticals due to their high nutritional content and health-promoting phytochemicals. While their traditional dietary use is well established, further toxicological and pharmacological evaluations remain necessary. To guarantee safety and effectiveness, this is particularly important when taken in extract form or at dosages greater than those found in food. The review emphasizes the importance of their varied phytochemical compositions and pharmacological properties, demonstrating their significance as useful plant resources for both nutrition and medicine. This review integrates traditional ethnobotanical knowledge with contemporary pharmacological evidence, providing a consolidated resource to support future nutraceutical and therapeutic research on these species.