author(s) : Abdel-Fattah M. Rizk, Khaled A. Shams, Husseiny A. H. Elgendy and Ibrahim A. El-Garf
description
The family Boraginaceae contains about 154 genera and 2500 species (Boulos, 2000).
Boraginaceae is one of the families rich in pyrrolizidine alkaloids and naphthoquinones.
However, the presence of other constituents viz. triterpenoid, saponins, flavonoids and polycarboxylic acids has been also reported (Rizk, 1986).
The study of pyrrolizidine alkaloids and phenolic compounds, in some members of the family Boraginaceae (Huizing and Malingré, 1981) supported the chemotoxomic model of Tetenyi (1974) based on fatty acid distribution
Genera Count
represented in egypt with Genera
Species
represented in egypt with Species
- Proximate Composition and Carbohydrates
- Lipids
- Essential Oils
- Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids
- Quinones
- Terpenoids, Steroids and Related Substances
- Saponins
- Flavonoids
- Phenolic Acids, Lignans and Other Phenolics
- Other Constituents
The following are examples of species of the family Boraginaceae which are used in traditional medicine:
1. Borago officinalis L. (borage): In Iran, it is used for its antispasmodic, antihypertensive, antipyretic, aphrodisiac and diuretic properties. Borage has been also…
The acid fractions of the aqueous extracts of Anchusa officinalis, Echium vulgare, Lithospermum officinale, and Symphytum officinale had antigonadrotropic activity in mice (Kozhina et al., 1970).
Shikonin derivatives, identified in many species of the family Boraginaceae have several biological activity such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, and antitumor activities (Ito et al., 2011).
The chiral pairs alkannins and shikonins, found at least in roots of 150 species of the family Boraginaceae, are potent pharmaceutical substances with a well established and wide spectrum of wound healing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammotary, antioxidant, anticancer, and antithrombotic activities (Papageorgiou et al., 2006a,b).
The toxicity, carcinogenicity, pharmacology and other biological activities of pyrrolizdine alkaloids have been reviewed by several researchers (e.g. McLean, 1970; Vollmer et al., 1987; Rizk and Kamel, 1991; Stegelmeier et al., 1999; Yakovelva, 2003).
Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are phytotoxins with various toxic effects on mammalian tissues, especially liver (Bull et al., 1968; Mclean, 1970)….
- Alkanna
- Anchusa
- Arnebia
- Asperugo
- Brandella
- Buglossoides
- Coldenia
- Cordia
- Echiochilon
- Echium
- Heliotropium
- Lappula
- Moltkiopsis
- Nogalia
- Nonea
- Ogastemma
- Paracaryum
- Podonosma
- Trichodesma
location
egypt