A review on phytochemical constituents of pharmaceutically important mangrove plants, their medicinal uses and pharmacological activities.

Abstract

Mangrove plants are salt tolerant, distributed in tropical and subtropical zones around the globe. Nowadays, these mangrove plants have become a major topic of discussion in aspect of bioprospecting of pharmaceutically important bioactive compounds. Moreover, different parts of mangrove plants are used in folklore medicines for having some curative and protective properties against different diseases. This review discusses about different phytochemicals derived from leaves, barks, stems, roots, flowers, fruits and seeds of mangrove plants. The most valuable bioactive compounds obtained from these plants are polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, carotenoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, aminoacids, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins etc. This review also shows pharmacological activities of mangrove plants including antimicrobial (such as antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal), antiinflammatory, anti-ulcer, antidiarrhoeal, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-HIV, antinociceptive, hepato-protective, anti-arthritis, analgesic, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities.