Mangroves are ecologically important vegetation in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries

Mangroves are ecologically important vegetation in marine habitats that occupy the coastlines of many countries. there is a dire need for careful investigations substantiated with accurate medical and clinical evidence to ensure security and efficient use of these vegetation and validate their pharmacological properties and toxicity. species, pneumatophores, traditional uses 1. Introduction Medicinal plants are potential pharmacies grown in the wild and have been co-existed and co-evolved alongside human civilizations since the beginning of Rabbit polyclonal to AMIGO2 life on Earth. Since ancient times, human life has been revolving around plants as they were used for their curative nature to alleviate human pain and have been the focal point of many researchers since the dawn of medicine. For centuries, medicinal plants have been used 17-DMAG HCl (Alvespimycin) as remedies for human ailments and diseases because they contain components of therapeutic value. With the increasing incidence and complexity of diseases threatening human health, the need for novel and effective bio-molecules is of paramount importance, which brings forward natural products/plants as the pipeline of tomorrow for drug discovery. Alarmingly, recent estimates reported that every fifth plant species found under the kingdom Plantae are threatened with extinction [1] and thus if we are not careful, they may disappear before our eyes because of disastrous environmental elements taking together notable medicinal ideals. Because of the lengthy background in folklore medication, medicinal vegetation haven’t escaped the eye of todays pharmaceutical chemists. The significance of traditional medications continues to be well understood from the pharmaceutical market since the finding and successful advancement of aspirin through the symbolic Willow tree [2]. For example, metformin, produced from L., is really a used type 2 diabetic medication commonly. Interestingly, a report shows that metformin might have potential cytotoxic results on cancerous cells [3] also. Taxol, the blockbuster anticancer medication, produced from Nutt., demonstrated significant impact against numerous kinds of malignancies viz; ovarian, breasts, lung cancer, mind, and neck tumors [4]. Medicinal plants have contributed profoundly in the discovery of new compounds, and the quest is still ongoing with the aim to search for more novel biologically active metabolites from traditionally used medicinal plants. At the time of writing, Allkin Bob 17-DMAG HCl (Alvespimycin) from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, recorded around 28, 187 plant species as medicinal plants [5]. Many of them are commonly known in the medical lore and are also extensively used in modern phytomedicine while some of them still need a thorough investigation. This review aims at elaborating and providing an overview on mangrove plants, which are traditionally known medicinal plants and have drawn much desire for the quest for novel pharmacophores. Mangrove is a shrub or small tree that develops in coastal brackish or saline waters in muddy or rocky soils. Mangroves are halophytes, being salt 17-DMAG HCl (Alvespimycin) tolerant, they can quickly adapt themselves in harsh coastal conditions [6]. Currently, the word mangrove encompasses 84 species from 24 genera and 16 families. However, only 70 species out of the 84 are classified as true mangroves while the rest as mangrove associates [7]. Nonetheless, the difference between these two classifications is still unclear which can lead to misinterpretations. Irrespective of the classification issues, many mangrove trees are traditionally used, and several genera have drawn the attention of many scientists, particularly the genera (L.) Lam, Lam, and L. have been recognized as the three most traditionally used mangrove species. Several in vivo and in vitro studies have been conducted on many mangrove species. For instance, (L.) L. showed anti-ulcer activity, whereas has been reported for significant antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-inflammatory activities. Blume was screened for a wide array of pharmacological activities viz; antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. covered a broader spectrum of biological activities, namely antidiabetic (in vivo and in vitro), antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-HIV, and anticholinesterase activities. Phytochemical screenings were conducted in several species also.