author (s) : Abdel-fattah M. Rizk, Husseiny A. H. Elgendy And Ibrahim A. El-garf
description
The Acanthaceae (a dicotyledon) is a large family with about 220 genera and about 3000 species (Heywood et al., 2007). The species of this family have been reported to contain terpenoids (iridoids, diterepenoids and triterpenoids), flavonoids, lignans, alkaloids, naphthoquinones and others.
Genera Count
represented in egypt with 6 Genera
Species count
represented in egypt with 10 Species
- Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Terpenoids
- Sterols, Alcohols and HydrocarbonsEssential Oils
- Flavonoids
- Lignans, Quinones and XanthonesPhenolics and Alcoholic
- GlycosidesAlkaloids
- Other Constituents
Many species of the family Acanthaceae possess several medicinal properties and areused in treatment of various diseases. The leaves of Acanthus ilicifolius L. are used inethnomedical practices in India to treat rheumatism, snake bite, paralysis and asthma.Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of this species hasbeen also reported (Babu et al., 2001b; Peng and Long, 2006). The plant is also used as apurgative, and anti-inflammatory, and the leaves dispersed with pepper (Piper nigrum L.) astonic pills for longevity (Kanchanapoom et al., 2001a). Acanthus montanus (Nees) T.Anderson is used in African traditional medicine for the treatment of urogenital infections,urethal pain, endometritis, urinary diseases, cystitis, leucorrhoea, aches, and pains (Okoli etal., 2008). The experimental evaluation of the effectiveness of the root in the treatment offuruncles showed that it may largely derive from mobilization of leukocytes to the site ofinfection and activation of phagocytic activity as well as suppression of exacerbated immuneresponses by its constituents (Okoli et al., 2008).
location
egypt