Pinus roxburghii, commonly known as the Chir pine or longleaf pine, is a large evergreenconiferous tree in the family Pinaceae, native to the western Himalayan region.[1] It typically reaches heights of 30 to 55 meters with a trunk diameter exceeding 1 meter, featuring thick, dark red-brown bark that is deeply fissured into broad plates.[1] The leaves are needle-like, occurring in fascicles of three, measuring 20-30 cm in length, and are retained for only about one year, the shortest retention period among pine species.[1] Male cones are cylindrical and yellow, while female cones are ovoid to conical, 10-20 cm long, with winged seeds that aid in wind dispersal.[1]This species is widely distributed across the Himalayas, from Afghanistan through Pakistan, India (including Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand), Nepal, Bhutan, and into southern Tibet and Sikkim, spanning longitudes 72° to 95° E and latitudes 27° to 35° N.[1] It thrives in subtropical to temperate climates at elevations of 450 to 2,700 meters, often forming pure stands on dry, fire-prone slopes in north-south oriented valleys, though it also occurs in mixed forests with oaks (Quercus spp.).[2] Pinus roxburghii prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils and tolerates drought and short freezes down to -5°C, but it dislikes shade and heavy shade competition.[3] Ecologically, it plays a key role in stabilizing slopes and preventing soil erosion in mountainous terrains, and its fire-resistant bark and rapid post-fire regeneration make it dominant in fire-adapted ecosystems influenced by the Asian monsoon.[2]Pinus roxburghii is economically significant for its timber, used in construction and furniture, and its resin, tapped for turpentine and rosin production.[4] It also has medicinal applications, with extracts showing antiseptic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties against pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus.[4] However, the species faces threats from deforestation, overexploitation, fire, and grazing, but is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (2013) due to stable populations and improved forest management.[5]
Taxonomy
Nomenclature
Pinus roxburghii Sarg. is the accepted scientific name for this species, with authority attributed to Charles Sprague Sargent and validly published in Silva of North America 11: 9 in 1897.[6][7] The name honors William Roxburgh (1751–1815), a Scottish botanist regarded as the founding father of Indian botany for his extensive work on the flora of India, including early descriptions of Himalayan plants.[8][1] The generic name Pinus derives from the Latin pinus, the classical term for pine trees.[9]An earlier name, Pinus longifolia Roxb. ex Lamb., was published in A Description of the Genus Pinus 1: 29 in 1803 but is illegitimate as a later homonym of a name applied to a different species by Richard Anthony Salisbury in 1796.[10][1] Sargent's 1897 publication corrected this nomenclatural issue by establishing P. roxburghii as the valid name, recognizing Roxburgh's contributions.[1] Other historical synonyms include Pinus roxburghii var. roxburghii, though varietal distinctions are not widely recognized in modern taxonomy.[6]Common names reflect its regional prominence in the Himalayas. In English, it is commonly called chir pine, longleaf Indian pine, or Imodi pine.[1] Locally, it is known as chir (चीड़) in Hindi, khote sallo (खोटे सल्ला) in Nepali, and sarala (सरल) in Sanskrit.[1] These names vary slightly across indigenous languages in India, Nepal, and Pakistan, often emphasizing its long needles or resinous properties.[11]
Classification
Pinus roxburghii belongs to the kingdom Plantae, phylum Tracheophyta, class Pinopsida, order Pinales, family Pinaceae, genus Pinus, subgenus Pinus, section Pinus, and subsection Pinaster.[12]Within the infrageneric classification of Pinus, P. roxburghii is placed in subgenus Pinus, which encompasses the diploxylon or hard pines characterized by features such as three-needled fascicles and serotinous cones that remain closed until exposed to fire.[13] This placement reflects its morphological alignment with other Eurasian and Mediterranean hard pines, distinguishing it from the soft pines of subgenus Strobus.[14]Phylogenetically, P. roxburghii is part of the Mediterranean lineage within subsection Pinaster, with P. canariensis from the Canary Islands as its closest relative; other species like P. brutia from the eastern Mediterranean are included in the same subsection.[12] Recent phylogenomic analyses estimate that the divergence between P. roxburghii and P. canariensis occurred approximately 23 million years ago in the early Miocene, with the broader subsection Pinaster originating between 44 and 23 million years ago.[12]Historical classifications of Pinus date back to early 19th-century efforts by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle, who grouped pines within a natural system emphasizing morphological affinities in his Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis. Modern revisions, such as those by Price et al. (1998), have confirmed P. roxburghii's position in subsection Pinaster through integrated phylogenetic and systematic analyses.[13]
Description
Morphology
Pinus roxburghii is an evergreen conifer that attains heights of 30–50 m, with a trunk diameter reaching up to 2 m and exceptionally 3 m.[1] Young trees exhibit a pyramidal crown form, which transitions to a more rounded, spreading, or umbrella-shaped crown in maturity, featuring a large branch system.[15] The species demonstrates moderate to fast growth, particularly among coniferous trees, with initial height increments supporting rapid establishment in suitable habitats.[16]The bark is thick, up to 5 cm in older trees, red-brown in color, and deeply fissured into scaly plates, providing significant fire resistance by protecting the cambium from surface fires.[17] This adaptation is crucial in fire-prone environments, where the bark's structure insulates vital tissues during recurrent low-severity burns.[18]Foliage consists of needles arranged in fascicles of three, a diagnostic feature linking it to other three-needled pines.[1] These needles are slender, dark green, stiff, and measure 20–30 cm in length and 1.5 mm in width, with persistent basal sheaths 2–3 cm long; stomatal lines appear on all faces, appearing as dense longitudinal rows of white punctations.[15][1] Needles are retained for approximately one year, the shortest duration among pine species.[1]Male cones are clustered, yellowish-brown, and 1–2 cm long.[19] Female cones are ovoid to oblong, 10–20 cm long and 6–9 cm wide, initially green and maturing to brown; they open slowly over the next year or in dry conditions, and heat from fire can accelerate their opening to release seeds.[1][15] Seeds are 8–12 mm long, equipped with wings approximately 25 mm in length for wind dispersal.[1]The root system features a taproot in juvenile stages for anchorage, developing into a shallow, lateral-spreading network in maturity, often associated with mycorrhizal fungi on surface roots.[15] This configuration supports stability on slopes but contributes to soil erosion risks in disturbed areas due to limited deep penetration.[20]
Reproduction
Pinus roxburghii is a monoecious species, bearing separate male and female strobili on the same individual. Male strobili produce copious wind-dispersed pollen from late February to mid-March, with peak release occurring between 12:00 and 16:00 hours and protandry of 3–5 days ensuring outcrossing.[21] Female strobili become receptive shortly after male dehiscence, typically 3–5 days later, facilitating pollination in the same season.[21] Fertilization is delayed until the following spring due to slow pollen tube growth, with mature seeds developing over 24–26 months and dispersing in the third spring post-pollination.[21]Pollination is strictly anemophilous, with pollen capable of traveling up to 2.5 km downhill or 640 m horizontally, though effective gene flow diminishes rapidly with distance.[21] The species exhibits a mating system favoring outcrossing, with open-pollinated seed set at approximately 90% and controlled cross-pollination yielding 46–52% cone initiation.[21] Cones are fire-adapted, resisting high temperatures and opening via heat to release viable seeds under post-fire conditions, enhancing regeneration in disturbed habitats.[17]Winged seeds are primarily dispersed by wind over short to moderate distances, typically up to 100 m from the parenttree.[22]Seed viability persists for 1–2 years when stored properly, with fresh seeds exhibiting 75–85% germinative capacity under controlled conditions.[23] In natural settings, germination requires exposure to mineral soil, often achieved post-disturbance such as fire, where success rates range from 30–50%.[24] Optimal germination occurs at 20–25°C, with rates reaching up to 88% in laboratory tests but lower in field environments due to competition and site factors.[25]Asexual reproduction is limited in P. roxburghii, primarily occurring through rare basal sprouting from dormant buds in the root collar of juveniles following disturbance like fire, though this capacity diminishes in mature trees.[26] Vegetative propagation via layering or stem cuttings from basal sprouts is possible under controlled conditions, with rooting success enhanced in substrates like sand-cocopeat mixtures treated with auxins.[27]Trees reach sexual maturity at 12–14 years for pollen production and 17–20 years for seed cones, initiating reproduction relatively early in their lifespan.[21] Individuals exhibit longevity of 200–300 years, with documented specimens exceeding 245 years in natural stands.[28]
Chemistry
The oleoresin of Pinus roxburghii primarily consists of resin acids and volatile terpenes, with rosin comprising the major non-volatile fraction rich in abietic acid and turpentine making up the essential oil portion dominated by monoterpenes such as α-pinene and β-pinene.[29] The rosin, a transparent golden-yellow solid, contains abietic acid as its principal component, alongside other diterpenoid acids like pimaric acid and isopimaric acid, contributing to its adhesive and antimicrobial properties.[30]Turpentine oil, derived from the oleoresin, typically includes α-pinene (20-30%), β-pinene (5-10%), and Δ3-carene (55-65%), with minor sesquiterpenes like longifolene (2-10%).[31] The needles of P. roxburghii are notable for containing taxifolin, a flavonoid with antioxidant activity, ascorbic acid, and volatile oils yielding up to 0.5% essential oil upon steam distillation.[31] These volatile oils feature monoterpenes such as limonene and bornyl acetate, along with borneol and α-phellandrene, extracted at approximately 0.26% yield.[32]The bark and wood of P. roxburghii are rich in tannins (7-10%) and various phenolic compounds, providing structural defense and extractable bioactive materials.[29] Phenolic constituents include ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, while the heartwood is particularly abundant in pinosylvin, a stilbenoid with antifungal properties that accumulates to protect against microbial decay.[31][33] Needle extracts exhibit high acidity (pH 3.5-4.0), attributed to organic acids such as hydroxyacids (e.g., 12-, 14-, and 16-hydroxydodecanoic acids), which contribute to their biochemical reactivity.[29] Essential oils from needles also contain anti-inflammatoryterpenes, including caryophyllene (2.46%) and caryophyllene oxide (10.83%), alongside β-pinene (7.02%) and 3-carene (9.20%).[32]Resin yield in P. roxburghii shows seasonal fluctuations, with higher production during the dry season due to increased metabolic activity and reduced moisture stress.[34] Genetic variations across populations influence terpene profiles, such as elevated α-pinene levels (up to 29.67%) in certain seed origins, enabling marker-assisted selection for high-resin-yielding trees.[31][35] These differences highlight the species' adaptability and potential for targeted chemical enhancement in forestry applications.[34]
Distribution and habitat
Geographic range
Pinus roxburghii is native to the lower Himalayan region, spanning longitudes 72° to 95° E and latitudes 27° to 35° N, from eastern Afghanistan eastward through Pakistan and northern India—including states such as Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim—continuing into Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and southern Tibet.[1][36][37]The species thrives within an altitudinal range of 450 to 2,500 meters, with its core distribution concentrated between 900 and 1,800 meters above sea level.[1][15]Outside its native range, P. roxburghii has been introduced for ornamental and forestry purposes in South Africa, where it occupies approximately 2,500 hectares of plantations, though it is classified as an invasive species in category 2; in New Zealand, as historic plantings; in parts of Europe, including botanical collections in Italy; and naturalized in regions of Australia such as Tasmania.[19][38][39][40]Historical range contraction has occurred due to deforestation pressures since the 19th century, particularly in lower elevations, while 20th-century afforestation initiatives in India have led to expansion through plantations.[15][41]
Habitat preferences
Pinus roxburghii thrives in subtropical to temperate climates, particularly in regions with a pronounced monsoon season. It prefers annual rainfall ranging from 850 to 2,900 mm, with a mean of 750-1,100 mm, most of which occurs during the summer monsoon period.[15] Once established, the species exhibits strong drought tolerance, allowing it to survive in areas with seasonal dry periods. Temperature tolerances span from absolute minima just below 0°C, down to -5°C when dormant, to maxima of 32-40°C.[42][15]The species favors well-drained sandy-loamy or rocky soils, with a pH range of 5.5-7.5, encompassing mildly acidic to neutral conditions.[43][42] It shows poor tolerance for waterlogging but adapts effectively to nutrient-poor sites, contributing to its success on degraded or shallow soils.[43]In terms of topography, P. roxburghii is commonly found on slopes and ridges within mountainous terrain, often in fire-prone areas characterized by dry understories that facilitate frequent burns.[44] It dominates pure pine forests but often succeeds oak (Quercus) zones at higher elevations, forming transitional communities in the Himalayas.[45][46]
Ecology
Ecological role
Pinus roxburghii serves as a pioneer species in secondary succession within Himalayan ecosystems, rapidly colonizing disturbed sites such as post-fire or degraded lands and persisting through developmental stages to form extensive monodominant stands.[47] These stands, while reducing understorybiodiversity by suppressing competing vegetation, play a crucial role in stabilizing slopes on steep terrains, thereby mitigating soil loss in erosion-prone areas.[48][15]In terms of nutrient dynamics, the species contributes to soil acidification through the decomposition of its needle litter, which gradually lowers soil pH and alters nutrient availability over time.[49] Additionally, P. roxburghii enhances carbon sequestration, with mature stands storing approximately 200-250 Mg/ha of biomass, primarily in above-ground components, supporting long-term carbon storage in forest ecosystems.[50] Its resinous exudates further deter herbivory, providing chemical defense that protects the tree and influences litter quality in nutrient cycling.The tree provides essential habitat for wildlife, offering nesting sites for birds such as white-rumped vultures (Gyps bengalensis) in its canopy, while its seeds serve as a food source for rodents and avian species.[51] The dense canopy moderates microclimates by providing shade and humidity, creating suitable conditions for understory organisms in otherwise harsh montane environments.[52]Regarding soil and water interactions, the root system of P. roxburghii, consisting of a deep taproot and radial surface roots, contributes to slope stabilization and erosion control, with net soil erosion rates of 8.0-14.6 t ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ under pine forests.[15][53] However, in mature stands, high transpiration rates reduce soil moisture and help mitigate downstream flooding by intercepting and utilizing precipitation effectively.[54]In carbon and fire ecology, the high flammability of P. roxburghii, driven by its resin-rich needles, fosters fire-adapted ecosystems in the Himalayas, where frequent low-severity fires maintain open forest structures.[17] Post-fire regeneration is robust, through the germination of its wind-dispersed seeds stimulated by fire cues, enhancing ecosystemresilience to recurrent disturbances.[55]
Species interactions
Pinus roxburghii exhibits strong competitive interactions with understory vegetation primarily through allelopathic effects from its needle leachates, which inhibit the germination and growth of associated herbs and grasses. Aqueous extracts of green needles and litter from P. roxburghii have been shown to significantly reduce seedling emergence and biomass of species such as Bidens pilosa and little seed canary grass (Phalaris minor), contributing to sparse understory diversity in chir pine forests.[56][57][58] In dry, well-drained sites, P. roxburghii outcompetes broadleaf trees due to its tolerance for arid conditions and rapid recruitment, leading to dominance in subtropical Himalayan forests below 2000 m elevation.[59][60]Symbiotic relationships are crucial for P. roxburghii, particularly ectomycorrhizal associations with fungi such as Suillus triacicularis and Pinirhiza alba, which enhance phosphorus and nitrogen uptake in nutrient-poor soils. These fungi form mantle and Hartig net structures on roots, improving seedling survival and growth in Himalayan forests.[61][62] Indirect nitrogen fixation occurs through associations with actinorhizal shrubs like Coriaria nepalensis and Myrica esculenta, which form symbiotic nodules with Frankia bacteria, enriching soil nitrogen available to pines in mixed stands.[63][64]Herbivory impacts P. roxburghii at various life stages, with browsing by deer such as barking deer (Muntiacus vaginalis) and Indian crested porcupines (Hystrix indica) causing up to 60% damage to young saplings and bark.[65][66]Insect predation includes attacks on cones by lepidopteran larvae of Dioryctriaspecies, which bore into developing seeds and reduce yield, while bark beetles like Ips acuminatus infest stressed trees, leading to mortality through gallery formation and fungal vectoring.[67][68]Pollination in P. roxburghii is anemophilous, with wind dispersing large quantities of pollen from male strobili, though secondary interactions with birds facilitate seed dispersal via caching behaviors in some populations.[21]Rodents and potentially ants contribute to post-dispersal seed movement and litter removal, aiding germination by reducing fungal competition around seeds.[69]Antagonistic interactions with pathogens affect P. roxburghii, particularly root rot caused by fungi such as Macrophomina phaseolina in nursery settings and wet soils, leading to damping-off and reduced seedling vigor.[70] Needle blights and rusts, including those from Coleosporium species, cause premature defoliation, while the tree's oleoresin provides a natural antimicrobial defense against invading microbes and insects.[71][72][4]
Conservation
Status
Pinus roxburghii is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, with the assessment conducted in 2011 (published 2013), owing to its extensive distribution across an extent of occurrence of 549,203 km² and a population trend assessed as unknown.[5] The species is not included in any appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).Regionally, populations are considered stable in core Himalayan ranges, though localized pressures exist; in Nepal, the species is protected within national parks such as Shivapuri-Nagarjun, where it dominates lower elevation forests.[73] In India, it receives protection through reserved forest designations under the Indian Forest Act of 1927.No precise global population estimates are available, but the species comprises millions of mature individuals across its range, supported by an estimated 0.87 million hectares of forest in India alone.[15] Densities in pure stands typically range from 200 to 600 trees per hectare, varying by site conditions.[74] Regeneration remains adequate in core areas, facilitated by the species' tolerance to fire and ability to coppice.[5]Monitoring efforts in India utilize remote sensing techniques via the Forest Survey of India, with biennial reports documenting forest cover dynamics, with significant fire impacts, including a burnt area of 1,809 km² in Uttarakhand during the 2023-2024 season.[75] Plantation programs in India and Nepal, including community forestry initiatives, actively offset declines by expanding planted areas.[76][77]
Threats
Deforestation poses a significant threat to Pinus roxburghii populations, primarily through logging for timber and conversion of forests to agricultural land, which has reduced old-growth stands across its Himalayan range.[78] In Uttarakhand, India, where chir pine forests cover approximately 17% of the total forest area (as of 2023), anthropogenic activities including illegal felling have contributed to substantial degradation, with treebiomass declining by up to 62% in disturbed sites compared to undisturbed forests.[79][80] These losses exacerbate habitat fragmentation, limiting natural regeneration and increasing vulnerability to other stressors.[81]Frequent anthropogenic fires, often resulting from land use practices and poor management, further threaten P. roxburghii by altering regeneration patterns and promoting even-aged stands that are less resilient. In Uttarakhand's chir pine forests, fire return intervals average less than 6 years, primarily due to human ignition linked to resin tapping and grazing activities.[17] Climate change amplifies this risk, with rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns projected to increase fire intensity and frequency in the western Himalaya, potentially stressing seedling establishment.[82][77]Shifting monsoons and prolonged droughts associated with climate change impose additional stress on P. roxburghii, particularly affecting seedling survival and prompting potential upward elevational shifts in distribution. Higher pre-monsoon temperatures have been shown to negatively impact early growth phases, reducing overall tree resilience in moisture-limited environments.[48] Models indicate that warming could drive range expansion into higher elevations, up to mid-elevation oak forests, but at the cost of recruitment failure in lower, drier zones.[45]Invasive species such as Lantana camara compete intensely with P. roxburghii seedlings, suppressing regeneration through root competition and shading in invaded understories. This invasive shrub alters native vegetation composition in chir pine forests, reducing biodiversity and hindering pine establishment in disturbed areas.[83] Although pests like the pine woolly aphid (Pineus pini) affect various pine species globally, specific outbreaks on P. roxburghii remain less documented but could exacerbate defoliation in stressed saplings.[84]Overexploitation through unsustainable resintapping weakens individual trees, increasing susceptibility to fire, pests, and windthrow, while illegal felling in border regions further depletes mature populations. Faulty tapping practices, involving repeated bark wounding, have been linked to reduced tree vigor and higher mortality rates in the western Himalaya. As of 2025, chir pine forests in the western Himalaya face compounded stress from resin extraction, recurrent fires, and climate change, leading to significant annual losses (e.g., over 4,000 ha affected by fires in Uttarakhand in recent summers).[79] In response, initiatives like India's National Mission for a Green India promote reforestation and habitat restoration across degraded landscapes, aiming to enhance forest cover and resilience, though specific targets for P. roxburghii vary by region. Protected areas, such as those in the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot, encompass portions of the species' range, providing safeguards against further encroachment.[85][86]
Uses
Economic uses
The wood of Pinus roxburghii, known as chir pine, is straight-grained and highly resinous, making it suitable for construction applications such as beams, poles, and flooring, as well as for plywood manufacturing and pulp production in the paper industry.[72][87] In managed stands, it yields 7–14 m³/ha/year, with mature forests achieving total volumes of around 85 m³/ha.[88][89] The timber exhibits good durability under covered conditions but is prone to warping and decay if not properly seasoned or treated with preservatives like creosote.[15]A primary economic activity involves tapping the tree for oleoresin, collected through bark incisions using methods like rilling or borehole techniques, with individual trees yielding 1–4 kg annually from age 10 onward.[90][91] This oleoresin is distilled to produce rosin, used in varnishes, adhesives, and printing inks, and turpentine, employed as a solvent in paints and cleaners.[72][87] Recent estimates indicate production of around 8,000–9,000 tons annually from the main Himalayan states like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir (as of 2023).[92]Additional products include bark, which contains 11–14% tannins and serves as a tanning agent for leather.[93] Needles are utilized as mulch in agriculture and forestry to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture.[94] Emerging uses of pine needles include production of biofuels, biochar for soil amendment, and handicrafts, which help mitigate forest fire risks and create rural livelihoods in states like Himachal Pradesh (as of 2024).[95][96] Cones provide a reliable fuel source due to their high resin content, burning efficiently for heating and cooking in rural areas.[93] Essential oils extracted from needle distillation contribute to the perfume industry, offering a fresh, woody aroma with compounds like α-pinene.[97]In India and Pakistan, P. roxburghii is cultivated in managed plantations for sustainable timber and resin yields, with rotation periods typically spanning 40–60 years to balance growth and harvest.[98][15] These activities support rural livelihoods across the Himalayas, employing numerous tappers and forest workers, with annual revenue from resin sales in Himachal Pradesh around Rs 7 crore (approximately $0.8 million) as of 2023.[99]
Medicinal uses
In traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, the resin of Pinus roxburghii is utilized as an expectorant to alleviate coughs and respiratory ailments, often administered in small internal doses or through fumigation.[100] The bark is prepared as a decoction to treat diarrhea and applied topically for wound healing, while needle infusions serve as a tea rich in vitamin C to prevent scurvy.[101] These applications stem from the plant's role in classical formulations like Sarala Niryasa, incorporated into Kasisadi ghrita for tubercular conditions and Saribadyarista for skin disorders such as psoriasis.[100]Pharmacological studies validate several traditional claims, with taxifolin, a flavonoid abundant in the bark, demonstrating anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzymes in cellular models.[102] Essential oils from the bark and needles exhibit analgesic properties, reducing pain responses in acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate tests in rodent models at doses of 100–500 mg/kg.[103] Antimicrobial activity arises from terpenes such as α-pinene, which inhibit growth of Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria in vitro, with zone inhibition diameters up to 22 mm.[97]Common preparations include oleoresin-based ointments applied topically for rheumatism to reduce joint inflammation, and wood distillates like pine tar for treating eczematous skin conditions due to their antiseptic qualities.[104] A 2012 study confirmed anti-inflammatory efficacy of bark extracts via suppression of the NF-κB pathway in animal models of inflammation, inhibiting pro-inflammatory gene expression.[103]Traditional dosages typically range from 1–3 g of resin per day, often diluted in formulations to minimize irritation, though no standardized clinical guidelines exist. Safety profiles indicate low toxicity, with no major adverse effects reported in ethnopharmacological use, but potential allergic reactions to terpenes may occur in sensitive individuals, manifesting as skin irritation or respiratory sensitivity.[105]Modern research highlights anticancer potential, where resin and bark extracts induce apoptosis in neuroblastoma cell lines like IMR-32 at concentrations of 50–200 μg/mL, modulating survival pathways.[106]Antifungal effects target dermatophytes including Candida albicans, with needle oils showing minimum inhibitory concentrations of 0.5–2% against fungal growth. Ongoing studies in Nepal and India explore these properties for nutraceutical development, including preliminary trials on essential oils for antimicrobial therapeutics.[107]