Untitled

Abstract

Uvaria genus of family Annonaceae comprises of 168 accepted species. These aromatic trees and woody scandent shrubs have originated from South America, distributed throughout India, Africa, Bangladesh and many parts of Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. The extensive use of their root, stem, bark, leaf, flower, fruit and seed has been indicated in the traditional medicinal system to treat diseases like fever, malaria, jaundice, minor infections, menstrual pain, diabetes and epilepsy. Such important uses of Uvaria species have led to their chemical analysis to obtain bio-active compounds. Uvaretin, Grandifloracin and Zeylenol are some of the significant compounds discovered in their plant parts. Uvaria species were reported to possess antidiabetic, anticancerous, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, antiprotozoal, antivenom and anti-inflammatory properties. This paper presents the comprehensive compilation of this genus; their status and distribution, ethnobotanical uses, pharmacological activities, isolated phytochemical constituents covering up to the recent literatures. This may be useful for further characterization of its secondary metabolites for utilisation in pharmaceutical industries.