A review on Adenium obesum: A potential endemic medicinal plant in Oman

Publication date: Available online 25 June 2018 Source:Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences Author(s): Amzad Hossain Medicinal plants have played a vital roleinthe treatment of various human diseases and development of the society since the ancient times. Medicinal plants are the only safe sources for new drugs to treat curable and incurable diseases. About 25% of the prescription drugs available worldwide are derived from natural resources. Adenium obesum (AO) is one of the rare endemic medicinal plants in Oman and itbelongs to family Apocynaceae. A biochemical investigation ofthe local AO species showed that the selected plant contained different groups of chemical compounds such as carbohydrate, cardiac glycoside, flavonoid, prenylated flavonoids, terpenoids, pregnanes etc. In addition, the pharmacological activities on the selected Omani species showed significant antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral and immune modulatory activities. Only a few scientific research has been performed on the indigenous AO plant species. For this reason, it is mandatory for human, mainly the young generation to be aware of the toxicity, biochemical and pharmacological activities of the selected AO plant species. This comprehensive review report of the selected medicinal plant includes taxonomy, biological activity, phytochemicals, and potential uses. The study concludes that the plant extracts or isolated phytochemicals might be used as safe novel medici...
Source: Beni Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences - Category: Science Source Type: research