author(s) : Abdel-Fattah M. Rizk, Husseiny A. H. Elgendy, Ibrahim A. El-Garf
and Sayed H. Farag
description
Apocynaceae is a dicotyledon family comprising 215 genera and 1900 species, mostlytropical (Boulos, 2000).
Many of the species are used in the traditional medicine for treatment of several diseases and have been reported to possess cytotoxic, hypotensive and antiplasmodial activities.
Some are important timber species while many are planted as ornamentals. Non-medicinal purposes include food, poisons, fodder, wood, ornamentals, dye and perfume (Wong et al., 2013).
Compounds commonly found in the family are alkaloids (mainly indole alkaloids), cardenolides, pregnanes, triterpenoids, flavonoids and lignans. Other compounds included iridoids, coumarins and phenolic acids. Coumestans, quinones, cyclitols, sesquiterpenes and diterpenes have been also identified from some species.
Genera Count
represented in egypt with 2 Genera
Species
represented in egypt with 2 Species
- Carbohydrates
- Proteins and Amino Acids
- Fatty Acids and Related Compounds
- Hydrocarbons and Other Related Substances
- Essential Oils
- Iridoids, Other Monoterpenes and Related Compounds
- Sesquiterpenes
- Diterpenoids
- Triterpenoids and Related Compounds
- Saponins
- Steroids
- Pregnanes
- Cardenolides
- Flavonoids
- Lignans
- Coumarins
- Quinones
- Coumestans
- Organic Acids & Phenolic Compounds
- Alkaloids
- Other Nitrogenous Compounds
- Cyclitols
- Other Constituents
Apocynaceae species have been reported to possess several activities mainly antimalarial and anticancer properties.
Species with cytotoxic activity include those of Allamanda, Alstonia, Catharanthus, Cerbera, Nerium, Plumeria, Tabernaemontana and Vallaris. Species of Alstonia, Calotropis, Dyera, Kopsia and Vallaris are also known to have antimalarial properties (Wong et al., 2013)
location
egypt