Abiche Ekalu
1* 
, Rachael Gbekele-Oluwa Ayo
2, James Dama Habila
2, Ibrahim Hamisu
21 Department of Chemistry, Nigerian Army School of Education, Ilorin, Kwara, Nigeria
2 Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna, Nigeria
Abstract
This review aims at studying the phytochemistry and biological activities of some selected Apocynaceae plants. Eleven members of this family were reviewed for their phytochemistry and biological activities. Interestingly, the commonly isolated compounds reported from Mondia whitei (Hook.f.) Skeels, Secondatia floribunda A. DC, Carissa carandas, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Nerium oleander, Wrightia tinctoria, Tabernaemontana divaricate, Alstonia scholaris, Carrisa spinarum Linn, Thevetia peruviana and Caralluma lasiantha were triterpenoids, flavonoids, phytosterols, cardiac glycosides and lignans. All of them exhibited remarkable biological activities, mostly similar to each other. This review provides a detailed insight into the pharmacological activities of these selected members of this family.
Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education:
This review provides a detailed insight into the pharmacological activities of Apocynaceae plants and showed that selected members of this family can be used as a reliable source for preparation of new drugs.
Please cite this paper as: Ekalu A, Ayo RG, Habila JD, Hamisu I. A mini-review on the phytochemistry and biological activities of selected Apocynaceae plants. J Herbmed Pharmacol. 2019;8(4):269-273. doi: 10.15171/jhp.2019.39.