Pharmacological and Conservation Perspectives on Fabaceae Species: Insights from the Herbal Garden and Arboretum of Kalyani University Biodiversity Educational and Conservation Park

Medicinal plants continue to play an indispensable role in global healthcare systems, particularly within traditional and alternative medicine. India, one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, harbours nearly 47,000 plant species, of which about 3,000 are employed in traditional therapeutic practices. Among these, the family Fabaceae represents one of the largest pharmacologically significant groups of flowering plants, renowned for their rich phytochemical diversity and long-standing ethnomedicinal use. However, unsustainable harvesting, habitat degradation, and erosion of indigenous knowledge threaten the availability and survival of many species. To address these challenges, the Kalyani University Biodiversity Educational and Conservation Park (KUBECP) was established as a living repository of indigenous medicinal flora. Central to this initiative is a Ministry of AYUSH-funded Herbal Garden and a West Bengal Biodiversity Board-supported Arboretum conserving about 180 species of herbs, shrubs, and trees, including several Fabaceae taxa. The present study examines twenty-four representative Fabaceae species growing in KUBECP, synthesizing evidence on their phytochemical profiles, pharmacological activities, and conservation relevance. These taxa are particularly rich in flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolics, and glycosides, underpinning a wide spectrum of biological activities such as antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and gynaecological effects. Their continued use in Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani further underscores their therapeutic potential. By linking phytochemical and pharmacological insights with conservation perspectives, this study emphasizes the dual role of KUBECP as both a biodiversity safeguard and a hub for education and research. It highlights how ex-situ conservation initiatives can simultaneously preserve genetic resources and promote sustainable healthcare solutions.